U23 AFCON Semi-Final: Morocco Coach Confident Ahead of Tactical Clash with Mali

"There are no starters and substitutes in the group. All the players are capable of being starters," he said at the pre-match press conference, insisting that "each player must be happy for the group, even if he does not play. We are all brothers."

Addressing the upcoming match against the Malian team, Charaï expressed his respect while pointing out weaknesses in the opponent. "We have a lot of respect for this team, but it also has weaknesses." He also showed determination to take advantage of the home field advantage: "we are playing at home [...] and we know the pitch well and it is up to us to impose our style of play."

The Malian coach, Badra Alou Diallo, remains serene despite the pressure of the semi-final. "Each team has its own qualities that the other does not have. We will play on our qualities," he said, while emphasizing the importance of concentration to avoid the mistakes previously made. "The game will be played on the mental level [...] individual qualities can make the difference in this match," he estimated.

To recall, Morocco finished top of Group A with nine points, while Mali finished second in Group B with six points. The second semi-final will see Egypt and Guinea compete for a place in the final. The stakes of these matches remain crucial, as the top three in the 2023 U23 AFCON will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The fourth-placed team will have to go through an intercontinental playoff against an Asian country.