adminMOROCCO head coach Hassan Benabicha has voiced disappointment in his players after seeing his side squander a three-goal advantage over Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the Caf African Nations Championship.The Atlas Lions looked well on their way to the semi-finals of the competition after a goal by Mohssine Iajour and a brace by Mohssine Moutaouali gave the North Africans a 3-0 lead heading into the break.
But a strong second-half showing by Stephen Keshi’s men saw them brilliantly fight their way back, before winning the match in extra-time.
“I am not disappointed with the result of the match,” the coach said after the game. I am disappointed with my players because they were leading 3-0, only to later lose the game. This kind of opportunity rarely comes in a tournament like this.”
Benabicha added that the Super Eagles’ ability to recover from the three-goal deficit and go on to win the match showed they were a good team.
“Let me congratulate the Nigerian team for such a good showing, having obtained such a wonderful result. At the interval in the dressing room, I told my players that the match was far from over as there was still a lot of work to be done. This is because the Nigerian team we faced are one of the best teams in the continent.
“I made a few changes after we conceded two goals in the second half but it will now appear from the result that it was a bit too late.”
It was Morocco’s debut in the Chan tournament after having disposed of defending champions Tunisia in the qualifying rounds of the tournament. – SuperSport
Online Reporter