Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui has promised a strong comeback for the Atlas Lions while assuming full responsibility for the team’s disappointing performance and early elimination from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).
The African best Coach admits some “technical errors” in the game that saw Africa’s top-ranked side failing to replicate their the remarkable performance of the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
Despite being favorites after their impressive World Cup run, the 1976 champions fell 2-0 to South Africa in the last 16 on Tuesday at Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro.
Evidence Makgopa produced a neat finish to score the opener in the 57th minute, surviving a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for offside and putting Bafana Bafana on their way to a surprise victory over the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists.
Achraf Hakimi missed a penalty, while Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was dismissed in stoppage time before Teboho Mokoena curled a classy free-kick past Bono to confirm the upset in style.
“We made many technical errors and lacked patience in the buildup play. We were in a lot of rush and had few opportunities,” Regragui explained after the game.
“The match could have been decided in the first half, but at this level, every missed opportunity is immediately punished,” he added.
“We tried in the end and were awarded a penalty, but we missed it. It could have equalized the score and brought us back into the game, but the penalty miss hurt us greatly. Certainly, we did not do what was required, and we lacked some things. I take full responsibility,” he admitted.
“The players gave everything and executed the instructions, and we will learn from the unexpected failure. We came with great humility, but today we must accept that we failed in our mission,” he further remarked.
Morocco missed forwards Hakim Ziyech, their match-winner against Zambia, and Sofiane Boufal. Their absence was felt as Morocco struggled to convert opportunities against much lower-ranked opponents.
South Africa punished Morocco’s after Makgopa controlled Themba Zwane’s first-time pass to tee himself up inside the penalty area and slot beyond Bono from a tight angle for his first international goal in more than two years.
Salvation looked to have arrived for the Atlas Lions when El Kaabi’s shot hit Mvala on the arm and the spot-kick was awarded following a pitchside monitor check by Ismail, only for Hakimi to smack his effort against the top of the bar and over.
With Morocco pushing desperately for an equalizer, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was initially booked for bringing down South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena in the box. However, after a VAR review, the referee brandished a straight red card, judging Amrabat to be the last defender.
The decision put 10-man Morocco’s chances to bed, as Mokoena stepped up to curl in the resulting free kick beautifully to make it 2-0.
For Regragui, he will now start preparations for the next tournament in Morocco, as he vowed a strong comeback from this painful Atlas Lions exit.
