Morocco’s local national team coach, Tarik Sektioui, says he welcomes criticism of his squad selections following the team’s 2-0 loss to Kenya in the second round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) group stage — but insists that not all decisions are visible from the outside.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s decisive Group A clash against Zambia, Sektioui addressed concerns raised over his technical choices and lineup adjustments.
“It’s natural for criticism to arise after a defeat,” Sektioui said. “But certain details are not known to the public. Some players joined camp without participating in a single training session beforehand. That forced us to make immediate decisions, balancing the needs of the group and each player’s condition.”
Sektioui emphasized that individual club performance doesn’t always translate directly to national team readiness.
“A player might shine with his club, but the demands of the current situation require a professional and pragmatic approach. Our goal remains the same — to qualify for the next round,” he said.
The coach acknowledged physical challenges within the squad that necessitated tactical changes, noting that “some things are not visible to those watching from the outside, but we are doing everything we can to put forward the best version of this team.”
Looking ahead to the clash with Zambia, Sektioui stressed the mental aspect of modern football.
“There are no longer ‘strong’ or ‘weak’ teams in today’s game. Everyone has access to similar tools, preparation methods, and conditions. What matters most is what happens on the pitch over 90 minutes. Mental motivation is key,” he said.
He added that both Zambia and the team’s next opponent, the Democratic Republic of Congo, would be difficult tests. “But we’re approaching every match seriously, with players who are responsible and aware of what’s at stake,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Sektioui said he hoped Morocco had addressed the errors — particularly in attack — that cost them against Kenya. “I hope we’ve corrected those mistakes so we can return to the race for qualification,” he said.
Morocco currently sits third in Group A with three points, tied with DR Congo. Kenya leads the group with seven points, while Zambia trails with one.
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