Sakitiwi: We Will Play Strongly and with Focus to Defeat Kenya and Qualify for the Next Round
National coach Tarik Sakitiwi confirmed during the press conference ahead of the local players’ national team match against Kenya that the team is determined to secure victory tomorrow, Sunday, at the Kasarani Stadium in the third round of Group A of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024). He emphasized that the primary goal is to clinch the ticket to the next round, which can only be achieved by winning against the host nation.
Sakitiwi highlighted the importance of playing with rigor and focus throughout the ninety minutes, relying on the team spirit and the players’ abilities to make a difference. However, he did not overlook the difficulty of the task against a Kenyan team that has performed well in the previous two rounds, stressing that the rest period the team received after the Angola match is a “double-edged sword” requiring smart management to turn it into a positive factor for the match.
For his part, striker Osama Lamlawi stated that the match would not be easy, especially with the strong support for the Kenyan team from fans, but he pointed out that preparations are going smoothly and that the team is determined to grab the three points.
Conversely, Kenya’s coach, Benni McCarthy, acknowledged the strength and organization of the Moroccan national team, stressing that facing Morocco requires a high level of discipline. He also mentioned that his team played their last match just two days ago, which makes their preparation time shorter compared to the Moroccan squad.
The “Atlas Lions” had a strong start in the tournament, winning against Angola with a score of 2-0, giving them a psychological edge before the crucial match at Kasarani. The 2025 edition of CHAN features 19 teams of local players from African leagues, and Morocco hopes to secure early qualification.
