Skitiwi: The Players’ Character and Confidence Led the Team to Quarter-Final Qualification
The coach of the national local players’ team, Tarik Skitiwi, confirmed that the victory achieved by “the Lions” over the Democratic Republic of Congo with a score of three to one, on Sunday in Nairobi, was not a coincidence; rather, it was a result of the players’ strong character and confidence in themselves, which enabled them to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
During the press conference following the match, Skitiwi explained that the game was challenging against a defensively strong opponent. However, he emphasized that the national players played with high spirit and proved their ability to secure crucial moments. He added that playing four matches in a short period helped the players enhance their cohesion and develop a more solid collective style.
The national coach noted that the primary goal remains to honor Moroccan football in this tournament, stating that the atmosphere within the team is positive. He stressed that the players are aware of the weight of the responsibility on their shoulders and are determined to advance far in the competition.
Regarding the details of the match, Skitiwi mentioned that the team entered the game vigorously, but fell into the playing style of the Congolese, who relied on long balls and back pressure. He made several changes in the second half that allowed the team to impose its rhythm and make a difference.
For his part, Osama Lmeloui, who was awarded the Best Player of the Match, expressed his pride in the win and qualification, affirming that the victory was achieved thanks to the cohesion and collective spirit of the team. He mentioned that the players understood the difficulty of the match, but they were able to assert themselves and seize the qualification.
It is worth noting that the Moroccan team finished the group stage in second place with nine points, behind Kenya with ten points, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo (six points) and Angola (four points), while Zambia exited the tournament with zero points.
The national team will face its Tanzanian counterpart next Wednesday at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, as part of the quarter-finals of the tournament.
