On Saturday in Nairobi, national coach Tarik Sektioui emphasized the importance of the Moroccan local players' team securing a win against Angola on Sunday in their Group A encounter at the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024). He described the victory as «crucial for the continuation of the competition». «For us, it's vital to start the tournament with a win to boost the players' confidence and foster a positive mindset», Sektioui remarked during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Morocco-Angola clash, which is set for Sunday at 4:00 PM in Nairobi. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Angola, noting that «the match against Angola won't be easy because they are a strong team with significant potential and a coach experienced in African competitions». However, he assured that «our objectives are clear; we are determined to win this match and have prepared thoroughly for it». Reflecting on the team's preparation for CHAN, Sektioui explained, «We initially started with players born in 2000 and later, but the unexpected departure of 11 players to new clubs and injuries to two others impacted our preparations». He added that «the players selected for the final roster have demonstrated technical and tactical maturity, which we will leverage to advance well in this championship». He underscored his primary goal of advancing beyond the group stage with an eye on the title, highlighting the challenges of assembling a competitive squad within a limited timeframe. «Moroccan teams are now aiming for titles and nothing but titles. We have the ambition to honor Moroccan football, even though we have inherited a tough group with strong teams that we respect.» Team captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat echoed this sentiment, stating that «the national team is determined to win the trophy and the players are aware of the responsibility that lies with them». The Moroccan national team of local players is competing in Group A, alongside host nation Kenya, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.
