CHAN: Sektioui acknowledges Tanzania’s strengths but underlines Morocco’s ambition

Morocco coach Tarik Sektioui has singled out the qualities of Tanzania as they face off in the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania on Friday.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Tanzania and Morocco at CHAN, and Tanzania’s first match against North African opposition in the competition.

“We know this match is extremely important. It qualifies us for the semi-finals. We will overcome this stage, God willing, and live up to everyone’s expectations in Morocco,” he said as quoted by CAFOnline.com.

On the absence of key players – Bouchaib El Arsi, Marouane El Ouedni, and Abdelhak Assal – he explained: “If there is an opportunity for any player to compensate for the absences, there will be no problem, as long as our team is balanced. Tanzania will try to exploit our weaknesses, but we will also work to limit their strengths.”

At this tournament, Morocco lost 1-0 to Kenya – their only defeat to East African opposition. Morocco are facing an East African side in the knockout rounds for the first time.

Morocco will be meeting a tournament host for the fourth time, with past results including wins against Rwanda (4-1, 2014) and Cameroon (4-0, 2020) and defeat to Kenya this year.