Morocco’s national football team, under the guidance of coach Walid Regragui, finds itself grappling not only with opponents on the field but also with the peculiar scheduling decisions, particularly the choice of midday kickoffs. The upcoming match against DR Congo, scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m., has stirred dissatisfaction and raised questions regarding the tournament’s organization.
Regragui, expressing his concerns during a press conference after Morocco’s convincing victory against Tanzania (3-0), stated, “I don’t understand how we can play at this time, for the tournament, for the image of our football…
But we will adapt, we have no choice.” The coach’s irritation is understandable, given the challenges posed by playing in the early afternoon, contending not only with opponents but also with the unforgiving climatic conditions.
“In Africa, we fight against our adversary but also against climatic conditions. It’s a tournament that will be played on the sidelines, and the management of highlights,” added Regragui, shedding light on the additional challenges that the teams face beyond the tactical aspects of the game.
The issue of midday kickoffs has not gone unnoticed by other coaches in the tournament. Aliou Cissé, the coach of Senegal, also voiced his concerns after their match against Gambia (3-0) on Monday, lamenting, “It’s the AFCON, not the Champions League, it’s the African continent; we will have to adapt.”
Cissé appealed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to reconsider scheduling, emphasizing the difficulties of playing in the intense afternoon heat.
The scheduling problem goes beyond mere inconvenience; it raises critical health and performance concerns for players.
Playing under scorching conditions, often exceeding 30°C, poses risks of dehydration and heatstroke, especially for players accustomed to milder climates in their European clubs.
The debate over the legitimacy of subjecting players to such conditions for logistical or broadcasting reasons is gaining prominence, urging CAF to reevaluate scheduling decisions for future editions of the AFCON.
The players’ well-being and the overall quality of the tournament experience should be prioritized in the face of these challenges.
🎙️ | اللقاء الإعلامي ل الناخب الوطني وليد الركراكي بعد نهاية مباراة المغرب – تنزانيا#كأس_الأمم_الإفريقية | #كوت_ديفوار_2023#دور_المجموعات | #الجولة_الأولى#المغرب#تنزانيا#AFCON2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023
TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations
Confederation of African Football pic.twitter.com/uE6t7yIuR1— Arryadia TV (@arryadiatv) January 17, 2024
