Walid Regragui maintains confidence ahead of Morocco vs Canada game

Morocco’s National Team Head Coach Walid Regragui held a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s final group game against Canada.

Morocco will head into its last group stage game facing the North American squad in a critical juncture on Thursday, in hopes to go to the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup for the second time since 1986.

In a historic feat, Morocco sealed a brace against FIFA’s 2nd-ranked Belgium in a tactical contest, which highlighted the will and strength of the Atlas Lions who have yet to concede in this World Cup.

The game will be played at 4 p.m Moroccan time (7 p.m local time), where the Atlas Lions will have to secure either a win or a draw against the Maple Leafs.

Regragui in the press conference stressed the importance of keeping a “winning mentality.”

“This game is important for us, we’re playing it like it’s a final, the opponent has nothing to lose, and are sure to want to leave on a good note,” he said, putting forward the Canadians’ great performances against Croatia and Belgium.

The Canadian National Team has yet to register a point in its World Cup history, and with their disqualification after two defeats in a row, the last game against Morocco gives them enough incentive to try not to board the flight home empty-handed.

Upon being asked about Sofyan Amrabat and Selim Amallah, Regragui had this to say: “I want to firstly highlight Youssef En-Nesyri’s role, only top football professionals will notice his importance to the system that we’re establishing,” adding that Amallah has been playing through pain during the last games, as well as other players who he described as “spirited” enough to feature with the Lineup.

Senegal secured their place in the next round as they won 1-2 against Ecuador, being the first African nation to qualify to the round of 16 in Qatar’s 2022 World Cup edition.

“Senegal went to the next rounds and paved the way for us to follow on their steps,” said the head coach, expressing his pride that more African teams are leading their National Team in such illustrious competitions.

Regragui added that he believes that this World Cup should be a testament to how much African teams have developed, noting that he believes that more African teams should qualify to the World Cup, in hopes to win it someday.

“We’re coming into this one with the intention of winning, it would be a big mistake to do otherwise,” said Regragui on the mindset of the players and the team, believing that any calculations will only hinder his squad’s performance, assuring they’re going out there to win.