Morocco new coach Mohamed Ouahbi hails teams’ progress after Paraguay win

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has expressed full satisfaction with his team’s performance following their hard-fought victory over Paraguay in an international friendly staged in Lens on Tuesday evening.

The North African football powerhouse scored two straight goals before Paraguay pulled one back as the ended 2-1 in the Atlas Lions favour.

At the post-match conference, Ouahbi, who replaced Walid Regragui praised his players for their adaptability and cohesion, highlighting the tactical improvements made during the game.

For Ouahbi, the encounter presented a completely different challenge compared to the previous outing against Ecuador, underlining the importance of adjusting to varying styles of play.

“This was a completely different match,” Ouahbi stated. “We needed to find cohesion and adapt to how Paraguay play, and I’m pleased with how the players responded.”

Despite the positive result, the coach was quick to temper expectations, insisting that it is too early to draw sweeping conclusions as the team continues its preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Instead, he emphasized a measured evaluation process focused on both Morocco’s technical growth and the quality of opposition they are set to face on the global stage.

“I won’t rush into conclusions,” he explained. “Our focus remains on improving technically and understanding the level required against top opponents at the World Cup.”

Wahbi also shed light on his squad management strategy, revealing that he deliberately assembled an extended group to assess depth and competition within the team. While acknowledging that some players would inevitably miss out, he expressed strong satisfaction with the overall quality and commitment shown by the squad.

“I’m very happy with this group,” he said. “The best and most prepared players will earn their place. But we must not change everything at once—we need to preserve the team’s balance and harmony.”

A key takeaway from the victory, according to Ouahbi, was the collective spirit displayed by the Atlas Lions. He stressed that building a successful team requires gradual progress rather than sudden overhauls, ensuring that chemistry and understanding remain intact.

The Moroccan coach also struck a tone of cautious ambition, recognizing the growing expectations surrounding the national team while urging humility as they continue their journey.

“Our ambitions are very high,” Ouahbi admitted. “But we must remain humble. Morocco is now a team that others are watching closely, and we have to live up to that responsibly.”

Off the pitch, Wahbi expressed satisfaction with the atmosphere within the camp, describing it as calm and productive—an encouraging sign as preparations intensify ahead of major competitions.

“This first gathering has been very positive,” he concluded. “The environment is calm, and that’s important for building a strong and focused team.”

With momentum building and competition for places heating up, Morocco national football team appear to be steadily shaping into a formidable unit—one that carries both the hopes of a nation and the weight of rising global expectations as the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues.