2024-07-31 11:25:56
The national team has already secured its qualification for the round of 16 after the matches played on Monday for Groups A and B.
After the intense match they delivered against the DR Congo last Sunday, the Moroccans are called upon to roar against the Chipolopolos if they want to stay in the seaside town of San Pedro and send an unequivocal message to their next opponents.
At the end of the second day, Morocco occupies the top of its group with 4 points, ahead of the DR Congo and Zambia (2 pts). Tanzania is fourth with only one point. Besides Morocco, the other three selections still have their chances of qualifying for the round of 16.
The top two teams from each group, plus the four best teams from those finishing third in their group, qualify for the round of 16.
In the event of a tie on points between two teams at the end of the group matches, the teams are separated, in order, according to the result of the match between the two teams, the total goal difference, the number of goals scored and the draw.
Walid Regragui’s protégés, who emerged unscathed from their first serious test in this CAN against the DR Congo, must rectify their situation in this competition whose pace is increasing crescendo.
They will undoubtedly have the advantage of playing at night, unlike the two previous matches, but will face a Zambian selection which will also be looking to qualify after being forced to share the points by the Tanzanians (1-1) during the 2nd day.
This time again, Achraf Hakimi’s teammates know that they must not sell the bear’s skin before killing it, because in this kind of encounter, even the small details count and the good management of all the twists and turns of the match is essential as the national coach, Walid Regragui, is keen to emphasize.
“We still have the same mentality. In this competition, there are always surprises. It is not an easy match. Zambia will defend its chances to qualify for the last 16. No matter who we play (in the last 16, Editor’s note), the important thing is to finish on top,” Regragui said at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro.
“We are focused on getting the three points. Zambia has nothing to lose and will go on the offensive. It will be a tactical match because even a draw would see the Zambians qualify. It is a good test before the round of 16,” he said.
For his part, Zambia coach Avram Grant indicated that his players will “defend their chances” against the Moroccan team to secure their place in the last 16.
“It’s a very important match for us. Morocco has already qualified and will play without pressure, but we need the three points to reach the round of 16,” he said at a press conference.
“The Moroccan team is fantastic. Everyone was amazed by what they did at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They have excellent players,” he added, acknowledging that “Morocco is, without a doubt, better than us on paper, but we also have good players.”
In case of victory, the Moroccan selection will face in the round of 16 the second of group F (Mali, South Africa, Tunisia, Namibia). If the national team finishes in second place, it will face Egypt, second of group B. If the Atlas Lions finish in third position, they will meet the first of group C (Senegal), or of group D (Angola).
For the 3rd day of the same group, the DR Congo and Tanzania will meet simultaneously at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo.
2024-07-31 11:25:56