AFCON 2025 UPDATE: ATLAS LIONS AIMING AT MALIAN EAGLES!
Moroccan coach Walid Regragui has let the cat out of the bag that they have been preparing for their opening TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 match for over 18 months.
“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves,” he revealed following their 2–0 victory over Comoros in front of a capacity crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday night.
“We had a bad start with the missed penalty and the injury-forced exit of Romain Saiss. At half-time, I wasn’t satisfied with the team, and we spoke to put certain adjustments in place, which the players applied very quickly.”
Second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi were enough to settle a contest that proved far more demanding than the scoreline suggested, as the hosts were forced to remain patient against a resilient Comorian side determined to spoil the party.
Morocco dominated possession from the outset, circulating the ball with confidence and pinning Comoros deep inside their own half. Yet clear chances were scarce early on, with the visitors defending compactly and contesting every duel.
Meanwhile, the losing coach, Stefano Cusin said Comoros were solid defensively ‘but in this kind of game, when opportunity knocks, you have to take it.”
“The team showed a good face, and Comorians can be proud of their country. We can’t say we played badly because we conceded two goals. Had Rafiki scored to make it 1–1, the scenario could have been different. Morocco are a great team; we have to accept defeat against such a side.”
Next for Morocco’s Atlas Lions is Mali at the Prince Moulay Abdella Stadium in Rabat, a day after Christmas Day, while Comoros takes on Zambia in their second Group A match.
