Morocco’s coach warns of a trap against Tanzania in the round of sixteen

Coach Walid Regragui has cautioned Morocco, the hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations, not to become too optimistic about their chances in Sunday’s last-16 match against underdogs Tanzania since a lack of humility has cost them in the past.

Tanzania, who narrowly made it into the elimination stage among the top four third-place finishers, will have to make way for Morocco, the tournament’s top-ranked team and overwhelming favorites, to advance to the quarterfinals.

Their two points from three Group C games is the lowest total ever for a team moving past the first round and into the round of sixteen, and they accomplished this without winning a single game.

Regragui stated on Saturday that “we hear that we are the overwhelming favorites, that we should win easily, and everyone says that if Morocco do not win, it is a failure.”

“My responsibility, along with that of the staff and senior players, is to stay grounded and keep in mind the reasons Morocco hasn’t won the Cup of Nations in fifty years.”

“I believe that at some point, we lacked humility in every competition, and we must not fall into that trap, which is why we have not won.”

Morocco’s last Cup of Nations victory came in 1976, and they have lost badly to underdog opponents in recent years.
The coach went on, “We will respect this Tanzanian team and keep our feet on the ground.”

They have excellent local players, are a squad that is expanding, building their league with two major teams, and improving their infrastructure.

“The match won’t be simple. In order to deny them any chance of upsetting us, we shall play to our strengths. There will always be surprises, so it is our responsibility to ensure that this side has no chance tomorrow,” he stated.

Since their initial appearance at the 1980 finals, Tanzania has only participated in four Cup of Nations competitions and has lost all 12 of their games.