1-1 draw on Sunday at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, both coaches, Walid Regragui of Morocco and Sebastien Desabre of DR Congo, shared their insights on the game.
Walid Regragui, the coach of the Moroccan selection, expressed his initial satisfaction with the team’s early performance, securing an early lead.
However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the adverse weather conditions and fatigue, affecting the squad’s ability to capitalize on additional scoring opportunities.
Regragui admitted disappointment in the team’s struggles to manage the match effectively, emphasizing the significance of qualifying at the top of the group in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Despite highlighting the resilience of DR Congo, Regragui conveyed his discontent with Morocco’s defensive lapses and overall average performance.
He stressed the importance of learning from the draw, acknowledging the need for tactical improvements.
Regragui also accepted responsibility for his coaching decisions and expressed expectations for a swift recovery and a renewed focus in the upcoming match against Zambia.
On the other side, Sebastien Desabre, the coach of the DR Congo national team, conveyed satisfaction with the hard-fought draw against what he deemed the best team in Africa.
Desabre expressed pride in his players’ energy and the quality of their response after conceding the first goal.
He acknowledged some regrets over missed chances but emphasized the effectiveness of DR Congo’s strategy to deny Morocco possession.
Desabre highlighted the significance of remaining undefeated in the tournament and commended the performance of his players, particularly the effectiveness of percussion players on the flanks.
The coach attributed the draw to a well-executed strategy to limit Morocco’s ball control, emphasizing DR Congo’s status as a formidable football nation.
The post-match reflections from both coaches provide a nuanced understanding of the challenges and strategies at play in this high-stakes tournament, adding further anticipation for the upcoming matches.
