Moroccoa coach Mohamed Ouahbi hails win over Paraguay in, plays down Senegal celebrations

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has praised his team’s performance following their 2-1 friendly victory over Paraguay, while insisting that the ongoing noise surrounding Senegal’s AFCON celebrations holds little importance for his side.

The Atlas Lions secured the win on Tuesday evening in Lens, continuing their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The result came just days after Morocco played out a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Madrid, as the team fine-tunes its readiness for the global tournament.

Speaking after the match, Ouahbi addressed a range of topics, including his team’s progress, the challenge ahead, and the ongoing controversy surrounding Senegal’s celebration of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, which remains under review at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Looking ahead to the World Cup, the Moroccan coach did not hold back in his assessment of one of their biggest group-stage opponents, Brazil national football team, widely regarded as one of the strongest teams in international football.

“There is no team in the world like Brazil, and when you want to prepare to face them, the best solution is to play against their second team,” he said.

Ouahbi acknowledged that he did not design the schedule for Morocco’s recent friendlies but expressed satisfaction with the level of opposition, noting that both Ecuador and Paraguay brought different but valuable challenges.

“I didn’t set the schedule for the friendly matches, but I was happy to play against two teams, each with a different style, but they share the characteristics of aggression, intensity, and technical quality,” he added.

The coach emphasised that these matches are part of a broader strategy to prepare for all opponents in Group C, which includes Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland, rather than focusing solely on the South American giants.

Reflecting on the bigger picture, Ouahbi reiterated his admiration for Brazil’s unique status in world football, underlining the scale of the task awaiting his team.

“What interested me was facing two strong teams, and I don’t think Brazil can be compared to any other team.”

While the AFCON dispute continues to generate headlines, Ouahbi’s comments suggest Morocco remains firmly focused on their preparations, keeping their attention on the challenges that lie ahead on the world stage.