Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi spoke to the media on Monday, September 28, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on the eve of the national team’s clash with Lesotho in the second round of the Pamoja-2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
He discussed the Atlas Lions’ adaptation to the conditions, the team’s injury situation and the emergence of young players.
Morocco will face Lesotho on Tuesday, September 29, at 1 p.m. in the second round of the Pamoja-2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Morocco opened its campaign with a 2-0 victory over Gabon, while Lesotho began with a 2-1 defeat to Niger.
Ouahbi was asked about Morocco’s long journey to South Africa and the conditions in the southern African country.
“Of course, the conditions here are different. It is up to us to adapt and remain focused on what we know how to do best and try to win this match while respecting a Lesotho team that has improved a lot in recent years,” he said.
Lesotho currently ranks 150th in the FIFA rankings and has never qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“There must be no excuses. The temperature, the quality of the pitch or anything else... We must think only about solutions during the match and remain focused on ourselves. That is the key,” the coach added.
Ouahbi then discussed the newcomers to the national team and the roles they are expected to play.
“The new players are gradually settling in. It is a process. We want them to grow and we also want to see them in action. We have to respect them because they are young players. We also want to allow them to make bad decisions. Those who deserve to be with us will be here, while those who deserve it less will wait and work harder,” he said.
Morocco have been presented as favorites for the clash with Lesotho, but Ouahbi rejected that notion.
“We have to focus on ourselves to get better every time. To be the best version of ourselves. In football, you have to be better than your opponent to win the match. The best way not to take things lightly because you are favorites is to take the matches seriously and give it everything. Run, make the effort and respect the opponent,” he said.
Ouahbi also provided an update on the team’s injury situation.
“Today, we have only one absence. It is Nayef Aguerd, whom we preferred to leave in Maâmora to continue his return-to-play protocol and spare him the trip. Apart from that, everyone trained yesterday. We have plenty of options,” he said.
