Morocco Wins Emotional Match Against Burkina Faso Following Devastating Earthquake

"It was not an easy match to prepare, but we had to play to show that Morocco knew how to get back on its feet, even when we are in difficulty. That’s what we showed with the help of the public, who also responded. The players really wanted to win the match. The result was not anecdotal because we wanted to please our people. We knew that many would be watching, we wanted to give them a smile. But in the end, we put football into perspective, there is more important. I am proud of my people, everyone is helping in Morocco and abroad," said Walid Regragui after the match that took place on the pitch of the Bollaert stadium.

The coach took the opportunity to thank the Moroccans "for the outpouring of solidarity". "I am proud of my compatriots. When we are in difficulty, we help each other. It is a very difficult time for the country, but we will know how to get back on our feet, we have always gotten back up and we will work so that Morocco regains a normal life. It is something that will remain engraved in the history of our country," he added.

In the same vein, Romain Saïss, the captain of the Atlas Lions, thanked the Moroccan supporters who came in large numbers to support the team, in these "difficult times" that the Moroccan people are going through. "We knew it was going to be full, that the stadium was going to be behind us. The public responded to what happened in Morocco. It was important to show a good face and to give a little smile in these difficult times. We had to show good values on the pitch, just like the supporters in the stands. It was a beautiful game, we gave a good image of Morocco..." he said.

The only goal of the match was scored by Azzedine Ounahi. A goal that was dedicated to the victims of the earthquake, for whom the Atlas Lions did not fail to pray on the pitch after the winning goal.