National coach Walid Regragui expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Atlas Lions in their match against Congo, held as part of the 10th and final day of Group E in the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, affirming that it was a tough encounter and that the Moroccan team continues to learn and make progress ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON Morocco 2025).
Speaking at the post-match press conference, which followed Morocco’s 1–0 victory, Regragui noted that when facing teams that adopt a low defensive block, the key is to find the opening to score and secure the three points. He highlighted that his players managed to do so through a well-coordinated action on the right wing, resulting in a 63rd-minute goal by Youssef En-Nesyri, rather than from a set piece.
The Congolese side limited Morocco to sterile ball possession through compact defending, he noted, adding that the Atlas Lions’ game plan aimed to increase tempo to create space and break through the opposition’s defense.
The national coach also praised his players’ efforts, which enabled Morocco to set a new record of 16 consecutive international wins.
Despite this achievement, Regragui emphasized that fans are now focused on AFCON, stressing that “our goal is clear: to be ready from the very first match to win the title.”
For his part, Congo’s head coach Fabrizio Cesana said that matches like this one offer valuable opportunities to face top-level players and gain experience for the future of Congolese football.
“We analyzed Morocco’s style of play, identified their strengths, and tried to neutralize their key players,” he added, noting that the future looks promising for Congolese football, with a young and ambitious squad eager to learn and gain new experiences, particularly in the upcoming AFCON.
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