Morocco Kicks Off World Cup Qualifiers with 2-0 Win Over Sudan

The [Atlas Lions] defeated the Nile Crocodiles on Thursday at the Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat. [Nayef Aguerd] opened the scoring for Morocco in the 10th minute before Sudanese player Mohammed Abuaagla Abdalla scored an own goal in the 54th minute. He was trying to deflect a shot from Moroccan international Ilias Chair.

The national coach, [Vahid Halilhodzic], is delighted with this victory which, according to him, was made possible thanks to the players. But he also stressed that the Lions can do better. "This first victory is well deserved, unfortunately because we had several opportunities. We made very good moves. But we must congratulate the players. We can do better. We are still in the tuning phase. The new players have shown themselves to be convincing and have demonstrated qualities. Morocco will be stronger with each game," he said after the match.

Regarding the match against Guinea, scheduled for next Monday in Conakry for the second day, he said he hopes for better performance. "We will savor, rest and prepare the match quietly. It will be more physically demanding and different," he warned.