DR ‹ › Morocco's national team coach, Walid Regragui, affirmed that the squad he chose for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Morocco will host, was selected «based on strictly objective criteria». «The staff's choices took into account purely objective factors», he explained in a statement published Thursday evening on the Royal Moroccan Football Federation's social media accounts. These criteria include «team cohesion, mastery of the game system, the dressing-room dynamic, and the demands of top-level competition», while also considering «current form». «This selection is the result of a year and a half of reflection», Regragui stressed, adding that «the perfect list does not exist». Addressing the case of Hamza Igamane, the coach acknowledged taking a «calculated risk» by placing him on the reserve list alongside Youssef Belammari, noting that «the length of his unavailability may evolve favorably». «Belammari, for his part, will remain with his club and can be called up as reinforcement if needed», he added. Regragui also commented on the unusual absence of a press conference to announce the squad list. «This was a personal decision. At this stage, the priority is to present the final list and immediately focus on the upcoming training camp», he said, expressing hope that the selected squad will deliver a strong performance and win the continental title.
