Soufiane Rahimi has set the tone for Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 showdown against Tanzania, insisting the Atlas Lions are determined to deliver a victory that satisfies supporters eager for silverware.
The forward said the squad is fully focused on Sunday’s encounter and motivated by the expectations of fans who believe this team has what it takes to go all the way.
Speaking to the official website of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Rahimi revealed that preparations began immediately after qualification from the group stage, with the emphasis firmly on winning and progressing.
The 29-year-old also acknowledged the role of supporters in driving the team forward during the tournament.
“Preparations are going well. Immediately after qualifying, we began training in preparation for the Tanzania match, and I want to thank the Moroccan fans for their messages of support and encouragement. We hope to give everything we have to make the fans happy,” Rahimi said.
The attacker stressed that Morocco’s approach has been detailed and methodical, with the technical staff and players studying Tanzania closely to ensure there are no surprises.
“Our focus is on the opponent, and we are working on their strengths and weaknesses through videos. We hope to make a positive impact and bring joy to the Moroccan fans who are eager to win titles, and all players are fully ready to give their all,” he added.
Morocco intensified their build-up on Thursday with two structured training sessions. The morning workout focused on physical conditioning and tactical organisation, as the coaching staff worked to sharpen fitness levels and fine-tune aspects of the game plan tailored to Tanzania’s style.
Later in the day, the evening session shifted attention to technical execution. Players worked on ball circulation, movement without possession, and finishing drills aimed at improving cohesion and efficiency in the final third.
These sessions form part of a broader preparation programme designed by the technical team as Morocco target a place in the quarter-finals.
The Atlas Lions face Tanzania on Sunday at 16:00 GMT, knowing that anything short of a convincing performance would fall short of the expectations surrounding one of the tournament’s title contenders.
