The altercation between Chancel Mbemba and Walid Regragui doesn’t reveal all its secrets. The Congolese defender, while being evasive, suggests that the Moroccan coach directed inappropriate words towards him.
This Sunday afternoon, Morocco and the DRC concluded their clash with a draw (1-1) during the second day of Group F in the 2024 AFCON. However, the post-match was marked by a heated altercation between the two teams.
Chancel Mbemba Fires Back at Regragui
The incident began with a skirmish between Walid Regragui and Chancel Mbemba towards the end of the match. While the Moroccan coach calmed the situation during the press conference, the Marseille defender remained elusive in the mixed zone.
“I respect the coach, who is a great man. Television cut the videos, but I have them. I don’t need to expose them. I keep my silence; it’s better that way. That’s how I am. Everyone knows me; I respect everyone. I don’t need to drag someone, but God’s justice is there. When I play football, I play normally. I’m not a superstar. The word he said, the coach himself will say it. He will speak,” Mbemba declared.
More details are expected to emerge in the coming hours, shedding light on this controversial story from the 2023 AFCON.
In this 2023 AFCON, Morocco started strongly in the Group F showdown, taking the lead in the 2nd minute with a header from En-Nesyri after a precise cross from Hakimi. The opening goal was confirmed after a four-minute interruption due to an issue with the referee’s earpiece, on a corner from Ziyech headed in by Hakimi (1-0, 6th minute). Seeking to secure their position, Morocco saw Ziyech’s attempt stopped by the Congolese goalkeeper Mpasi (11th minute).
Chancel Mbemba and His Men Held Firm
However, the Leopards responded with chances from Bongonda, whose shot was blocked, and Mbemba, who missed a close-range opportunity (12th, 13th minute). En-Nesyri also had the opportunity to double the lead, but his control was disrupted by Mbemba and Mpasi (31st minute). After an energetic start, Morocco conceded chances to the Congolese, including a dangerous deflection by Saïss from a corner (33rd minute) and a penalty missed by Bakambu, saved by Bounou (42nd minute).
In the second half, the Congolese coach made changes, replacing Baka with Batubinsika. The latter posed a threat on a corner, narrowly missing the post (48th minute). Despite the persistent Moroccan danger, with a cross from Hakimi to Boufal (52nd minute), Desabre’s changes bore fruit. Elia, launched by a through ball, equalized by passing to Mvumpa (1-1, 76th minute).
The exhausted Moroccans faced Congolese pressure, repelling dangerous crosses and a shot from Mayele (77th, 90th minute). The match ended in a 1-1 draw, marked by a brief altercation between Moroccan coach Regragui and Congolese captain Mbemba. Morocco, the provisional leader with 4 points (+3), will have to wait for the last match against Zambia to confirm their qualification. The DRC, second before the match between Zambia and Tanzania, will need to win their last match to hope to reach the knockout stages.
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