Moroccan National Football Head Coach Walid Regragui said that King Mohammed VI’s reception of the Atlas Lions was “indescribable,” following their inspiring campaign in the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Regragui said, in an exclusive interview with Hespress: “I thank King Mohammed VI for his great efforts to serve national football, and my feeling is indescribable after he received us upon returning from Qatar.”
Regragui explained that the team did not expect to reach the top four, but their goal was to go as far as possible, take matches one by one, and work hard on a daily basis to achieve that goal.
Regragui said, regarding player confidence: “Mounir Mohammedi is a professional, and is always ready to play.”
He always relies on the group as a whole, he said, adding that “when we needed him in the last minute, against Belgium, he went in and played a great match.”
Regragui also discussed comparisons with Morocco’s former coach Herve Renard, saying: “Renard is a great coach and I am always in contact with him.”
He added: “He loves Morocco very much and we saw his statement before the match against France, and we are not comparing. What matters to me is my national team and my work with them.”
The coach did not understand the criticism targeted at them after the first match against Croatia.
He thinks of going far in any competition he participates in. The players were sure that they had to work as a group.
For this, we saw Hakim Ziyech, Sofiane Boufal and Youssef En-Nesyri playing defensive roles.
He explained: “I thank Fouzi Lekjaa and the federation for agreeing to host the players’ families to support us, it contributed greatly to this achievement, and behind every member of the national team there is a family that supports and helps him.”
The coach discussed the national anthem, he said that every player lives it in his own way, there are those who repeat it and there are those who live it internally, so they have placed it in the players’ rooms, so that all of them can learn it.
Regragui revealed the story of “Nia” (Intention in Arabic) that inspired Moroccans in the World Cup, saying: “I have great faith in “Nia”, and those who knew me before when I was a coach at FUS Rabat or Wydad Athletic will remember that.”
He said that all should be under one title with a unified goal. He adds, “Because I know that there are those who may reach the point of wishing for the team to lose for their own personal benefit.”
“For this, I used to say, let us have the ‘Nia’ together, even if only during this tournament.”
Regragui confirmed that he was keen to give the opportunity to all players, he explains that it’s because they are disciplined, professional and talented.
He said that he would have given the opportunity to the third goalkeeper, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, had it not been for the injuries that prevented them from additional changes.
About the story of “the ball hits the crossbar and goes out.” Regragui said luck is important in football after work and dedication, “we have been wronged a lot in this World Cup by refereeing.
But this is the game, and mistakes may do justice next time, and praise be to God in any case, Because it may happen before and we do not reach the second round.”
He described the technical staff as one family, that they helped him a lot, and the same applies to all individuals, each from his position.
As for the fact that the Brazilian Federation wanted to sign him, Regragui indicated that “samba dancers” are not considering signing a foreign coach.
What is most important to him is that Morocco has given him a chance, and he must achieve positive results.
He added that there is no favoritism in the national team, and asked forgiveness from any player he wronged, he said: “I do not work with emotion, while I was waiting for more from Hamdallah, and he may return stronger… Badr Bennoun, I love him very much, circumstances have wronged him on more than one occasion.
For this, I thought humanely and gave him the opportunity he deserved, and he responded to my trust.”
He concluded: “We must continue to work at club level, and I wish success to Wydad Athletic in the Club World Cup, and everyone who represents Morocco in continental competitions.”
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