Morocco Seeks Improvement Against Tanzania After Narrow Win Over Niger

The Regragui team blew hot and cold in the first half of this match, conceding a goal. A "slap," according to the Moroccan technician, who believes that the Moroccan team was able to win thanks to the substitutes who performed better than the starters, who were clearly paralyzed by Nigerien players, most of whom play in the Gulf or in second or third tier leagues.

"The goal of Niger had the effect of a slap, it was a good reminder of what awaits us and allowed us to regain our composure with a good half hour at the end of the match and a good state of mind from the players... We still have a long way to go before the CAN and there are statuses that can be shaken up within the squad, because when there are dissatisfactions, we can have more options for change. Now I have cards in hand and several options on the bench," Regragui reacted after the match.

Throughout the first half and the beginning of the second, Regragui did not hide his dissatisfaction with the dull performance of the Atlas Lions. On the left flank, Eliesse Benseghir and Soufiane Rahimi had difficulty synchronizing their actions, while on the right, Brahim Diaz failed to combine with Achraf Hakimi.

Now, the Moroccan coach wants to be able to count on Bilal El Khannouss, who scored the winning goal for Morocco in stoppage time, but also on Ismaïl Saibari and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who delivered a remarkable performance against Niger on Friday in Oujda. The same cannot be said of Azzeddine Ounahi and Soufiane Rahimi, who were underperforming. The Moroccan players have an interest in making a good impression this Tuesday against Tanzania, in the sixth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.