Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has expressed confidence in his team's depth after a 1-1 friendly draw with Mali, despite missing several established players. The Atlas Lions faced Mali without Noussair Mazraoui, who returned to Manchester United after picking up a back problem against Lesotho, and Achraf Hakimi, who saw limited action during the international window. Ouahbi pointed to the performances of younger players and others who received opportunities during the camp, saying that they showed they have enough quality across all positions.
Ouahbi emphasized that he is not concerned about the absences of Hakimi and Mazraoui, two of the world's leading full-backs. He described the pair as crucial players who can play on either the right or left side, but noted that the players who featured in their absence did well. The coach said that he will continue to trust everyone in the squad, adding that Morocco have the options they need across the pitch.
The Morocco coach highlighted the team's recent World Cup campaign as evidence of their considerable depth. He noted that the Atlas Lions reached the World Cup quarter-finals and produced some strong performances, showing that they have the necessary quality in every position. However, Ouahbi acknowledged that the team still has work to do, particularly in building stronger connections between players.
Ouahbi stressed the importance of finding better chemistry between players on the pitch, staying serious, and keeping things simple while maintaining the same level of demands. He expressed satisfaction with the options he has, saying that the team has a complete squad with everything they need. The coach also refused to single out an individual for Mali's second-half equalizer, taking responsibility as a team.
The absence of Hakimi and Mazraoui was felt, but Ouahbi was pleased with the performances of the players who stepped in. He noted that young players came in and performed well, and that other players showed good things, deserving more time on the pitch. The coach said that he will not focus on one position in particular, but rather on the overall performance of the team.
Morocco ended the international window unbeaten, following 2-0 victories over Gabon and Lesotho with Sunday's draw in Tangier. Ouahbi's side will look to build on this momentum in future matches, with the coach confident in his team's ability to compete at a high level. He emphasized the importance of continued competition within the squad.
As the team looks to the future, Ouahbi will be keen to see his players build on the performances of the international window. With a complete squad and considerable depth, Morocco will be a team to watch in upcoming matches. The coach's confidence in his team's abilities will be crucial in the coming months.
Key points
- Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi expresses confidence in his team's depth despite missing key players Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui.
- The team's recent World Cup campaign showed they have considerable depth, reaching the quarter-finals and producing strong performances.
- Ouahbi emphasizes the importance of building stronger connections between players and maintaining a high level of demands.
