Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet has expressed his satisfaction following the 1-1 draw between his team, Mali, and the AFCON host nation, Morocco, in their Group A match on Saturday.
The match, which took place in Rabat, was keenly contested and ended in a draw, leaving the qualification for the Round of 16 to be determined on the final matchday.
Coach Tom Saintfiet commented, “We dedicated two to three hours to analysing the Moroccan team. In the beginning, they performed well; however, after some substitutions, we were able to address their transition effectively.
The first 10 minutes of the second half presented us with good opportunities. While Morocco launched strong attacks, we were fortunate to have experienced players who managed those challenges well. I am pleased with my team’s performance, and we will work on building their confidence as we prepare for the next match, where a victory is essential.”
Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui remarked, “We played an intense match and had the opportunity to secure a win. Congratulations to Mali for obtaining a point.
We need to remain resilient; conceding a penalty is a part of the game, and we must not lose hope. Winning the Africa Cup of Nations is a long journey, and while we did not achieve the desired outcome today, we remain confident as we head into the final group match.”
Morocco will face Zambia, and Mali takes on Comoros in the Group A final round of matches, with qualification for the knockout phase still firmly within reach for both teams.
