Morocco fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Kenya in Nairobi on Sunday, a result that leaves their CHAN 2024 campaign hanging in the balance after two Group A matches.
Despite a promising start, the Atlas Lions were unable to convert their early dominance into goals. Head coach Tarik Sektioui was candid in his post-match assessment, admitting that poor finishing ultimately cost his side the match.
“We started the game well, but our finishing let us down,” Sektioui told reporters in the post-match press conference.
Morocco, who looked in control for large spells of the match, were unable to break down a disciplined Kenyan defence, even after their opponents were reduced to ten men.
The Moroccan side failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage, struggling to find cohesion and accuracy in the final third.
“We dominated possession and played with confidence, but technical mistakes and a false sense of security crept into our game,” Sektioui explained.
“The players believed they had control of the match, and that cost us.”
The turning point came in the second half when Kenya were reduced to ten men. However, Morocco’s inability to find a breakthrough highlighted their inefficiency in attack. Kenya, to their credit, remained compact and tactically disciplined, frustrating Morocco’s efforts in front of goal.
“Playing 11 against 10 doesn’t guarantee goals,” Sektioui acknowledged. “Kenya defended with intelligence and organisation. Credit to them for holding on.”
The result leaves Morocco with just three points from their first two matches, following an opening win in the tournament.
Their final group stage fixture against Zambia on Thursday has now become a must-win if they are to secure qualification for the knockout stage.
The defeat was particularly frustrating given Morocco’s initial momentum. They entered the match as favourites and began brightly, pressing high and controlling the midfield. However, as the match wore on, their lack of sharpness in the penalty area became increasingly evident.
The Moroccan attack struggled to break through Kenya’s low block, and misplaced passes in critical moments only deepened their troubles.
Despite creating several half-chances, Morocco failed to register a clear-cut opportunity that truly tested the Kenyan goalkeeper.
Sektioui now faces the challenge of lifting his squad ahead of the decisive clash with Zambia. With qualification on the line, the pressure will be on Morocco to rediscover the attacking form that earned them victory in their opening match.
“We still have one match to play, and everything is in our hands,” the coach stated. “We need to stay focused and improve where we fell short today.”
As the Atlas Lions prepare for their final Group A fixture, there is no margin for error. Anything less than a win could see one of the tournament’s favourites exit earlier than expected—a scenario Morocco will be determined to avoid.
