Qualified for the round of 16 in AFCON 2023, Morocco can now approach the match against South Africa with confidence. The CAF, which had imposed a heavy sanction on Walid Regragui after the match against the DRC, has just reduced the penalty.
The Lions of Morocco will be able to rely on their coach in the next match of AFCON 2023 against South Africa. After a strong group stage performance with two wins and a draw, the semi-finalists of the last 2022 World Cup are preparing for the next decisive stage of the competition. And for this upcoming match, Walid Regragui will not be in the stands as he was against Zambia this Wednesday, during the third matchday. Severely punished by the CAF after an altercation with the defender of the DRC, Chancel Mbemba, the head of the Moroccan national team saw his suspension reduced from 4 matches, including two firm ones, to just one firm match.
The good news for the Moroccan team
The information comes from Moroccan media, which announced the good news from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) led by Patrice Motsepe this Thursday. According to them, the disciplinary commission of the body governing African football has decided to lighten Regragui’s punishment, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief. As Morocco prepares to face the strong South African team in the round of 16 of this surprising AFCON 2023, the effective presence of the coach in his technical area represents a major asset for the players.
It must be said, this 34th edition of the Africa Cup is no longer really about favorites. Before the start of the competition, several teams were announced as contenders for the final title. However, with the conclusion of the group stage this Wednesday, the eliminations of Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, and the hard-fought qualifications of teams like Cameroon, Ivory Coast, or Egypt, it is clear that anything can happen at any moment.
Morocco and its favorite position
According to the latest updates from the Opta supercomputer that analyzes favorites, Morocco still has a great chance of winning AFCON 2023. After Senegal, which had a flawless run (3 wins in 3 matches in the Group of Death), the Lions of the Atlas remain the team that has made a good impression. Walid Regragui is also aware that things can change quickly in the competition and has changed his stance by designating the Senegalese as favorites for their own succession.
“We are not favorites. When I see Senegal, the match they played against Cameroon, I see some teams gaining momentum, I think the favorites will emerge from the round of 16,” he said. Coming from someone who confidently stated that Morocco would reach at least the semi-finals, it must be said that the upset caused by Mauritania to Algeria and the thrashing of Equatorial Guinea to the host country have tempered the enthusiasm.
The steps taken by the FRMF
Recall that the CAF had sanctioned Walid Regragui for vigorously confronting the defender of the DRC, Chancel Mbemba, after the match on the second matchday of the group stages between the two teams. The situation escalated into a general brawl that led to a flood of racist insults directed at the Moroccan coach and the Marseille player.
After the announcement of the two-match firm suspension, preventing Regragui from remaining on the bench until the quarter-finals, the Moroccan Football Federation had criticized the CAF decision as excessive. The outcry worked. So, stay tuned next Tuesday in San Pedro for the match between Morocco and South Africa with Regragui.
Leave a Reply