Morocco’s national team coach, Walid Rakraki, has voiced his apprehension about facing Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations, stating that Egypt’s group has raised concerns ahead of his team’s first encounter with Tanzania.
The Moroccan squad will kick off its journey in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against Tanzania on Wednesday, marking the opening match of Group Six, which also includes the Republic of Congo and Zambia.
The tournament witnessed a surprise with Cape Verde defeating Ghana 2-1 last Sunday in Group Two, where the Egyptian national team is competing.
Addressing reporters in a press conference on Tuesday, Rakraki remarked, “The Africa Cup of Nations has begun with a rhythm of surprises, and currently, there is no distinction between a big or small team.”
He continued, emphasizing the significance of the first match for gaining confidence and adapting to the tournament’s atmosphere, stating, “Match against Tanzania is crucial, differing from our previous encounters with them in the World Cup qualifiers.”
Rachraki stressed the need to respect the opponent, highlighting Cape Verde’s victory over Ghana as motivation for Tanzania.
He acknowledged that the upcoming match would be far from easy.
“We seized this opportunity to acclimate to the surroundings, and our friendly match against Sierra Leone was beneficial before the tournament’s commencement,” Rakraki concluded.
As Morocco prepares to face Tanzania, the anxiety surrounding Egypt’s group in the Africa Cup of Nations adds an extra layer of intensity to the competition, setting the stage for an intriguing clash between the two teams.
