“The first match is always difficult. We were lucky to be the last group to play. We knew how to manage this match. It’s good to enter the competition,” he declared at a press conference post-match.
“It was physically difficult. But the players adapted. We have to go game by game. We are now thinking about the match against DR Congo. Playing at 2:00 p.m. (HL) will be difficult for the players but we will have to manage these constraints,” he added.
“I am happy with the performance of the players. In Africa, we fight against the opponent but also against the weather conditions. It is a tournament which will be played on the sidelines and the management of highlights”, said he explained.
For his part, Azzedine Ounahi, elected man of the match, stressed that the main thing was to win the three points at stake.
“In the African Cup of Nations, there are no small teams. We have seen big teams who had difficulty winning their first match,” he said, adding that the players were well focused throughout the meeting.
According to the Olympique de Marseille midfielder, “our squad allows us to go as far as possible”.
“I am gradually starting to regain my rhythm after the injury I suffered in my back. I am happy with this victory,” he said, noting that the players will have three days to recover and be ready. top of their level in the next match.
The second match of this group, for the first day, pits DR Congo against Zambia.