Morocco’s World Cup Dreams in Jeopardy After Shock AFCON Exit, Says Former Star Chamakh

Like all Moroccans, Marouane Chamakh is sad for the Atlas Lions eliminated in the quarter-finals of the CAN. He had expected Morocco to go even further in the competition. But for him, sadness must give way to work for the other competitions to come. "There is a lot of disappointment, but also sadness. That’s how it is, that’s football. We have to try to get back on our feet as quickly as possible. There are big deadlines coming up, including the World Cup playoffs. It’s going to be a bit tough, but we have to get back on our feet and try to think about something else. I think I’m a bit in their heads and I understand their disappointment."

For him, Egypt was more convincing and more strategic than Morocco. "Tactically, they were above us. It’s a deserved victory, it’s not stolen. There are regrets, sadness, disappointment. But we have to look ahead, and focus on the World Cup to get back on our feet. We have to try to regain energy to forget all this," he stressed.

For those who are calling for Vahid Halilhodzic’s head, he thinks that we should not call everything into question for this defeat, when big challenges await Morocco. "There was a great tactical match between two great coaches. It wasn’t in our favor, unfortunately. It hurts the heart, we are sad, disappointed, but we have to get back on our feet. I wouldn’t want us to shake up everything either, with regard to the future of the coach."

Next March, the Moroccan players will have to defend their place in the World Cup, against the Democratic Republic of Congo.