Morocco Finish Season With Narrow Win Over Benin – But Performance Raises Eyebrows
Morocco wrapped up their international season with a 1-0 victory over Benin on Monday night in Fez. Ayoub El Kaabi's acrobatic strike just before half-time sealed the win, but the overall performance left fans wanting more.
The match followed a familiar script. Just like against Tunisia, Morocco struggled to break down a low defensive block. Benin were organised and cautious, content to sit deep and frustrate the hosts. Morocco, after fielding a much-changed side, failed to find rhythm or urgency for large spells of the game.
Walid Regragui handed minutes to several fringe players, including Zakaria El Ouahdi and Osama Sahraoui, while Soufiane Rahimi partnered El Kaabi up front.
But the changes didn't quite click. The midfield lacked drive, the wings were quiet, and there was little in the way of quick, decisive build-up.
El Kaabi, however, made his moment count. On the stroke of half-time, he connected with a long ball from Adam Masina inside the box and finished with a spectacular bicycle kick. It was the highlight of the match. Ayoub El Kaabi scored the first goal for Morocco with a spectacular bicycle kick.
Regragui tried to liven things up in the second half by bringing on Bilal El Khannouss and Osama Targhalline, but the pace never really picked up. Hakimi also came on late in the game, but the crowd in Fez, who had packed the stadium for a second time in a week, were left wanting more.
Despite the lacklustre display, the win was Morocco's 12th in a row under Regragui – a new record. But the coach knows there's work to do.
Speaking after the match, Regragui said: 'It's never easy to make lots of changes and expect full chemistry. We saw that the understanding between players wasn't at the usual level. But these friendlies are for testing things. We tried out new players and new combinations. What matters is the win.'
Asked about criticism over his methods and persona, he joked: 'In September, I might show up with a hair transplant and clean shave, and pretend I'm a new coach. Then we'll win the Africa Cup.' Walid Regragui says that squad changes impacted the rhythm of the game.
Striker Youssef En-Nesyri praised the squad's effort: 'The match was tough, but the win gives us confidence. We respect every opponent and take every game seriously. These matches help us grow.'
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou added: 'It's always hard at the end of the season. The players are exhausted, so it's normal that we're not at our best. But we got the result, and that's what counts.'
Morocco now shift focus to the World Cup qualifiers next September. Regragui will hope to have a full house on the next international break after missing some key names during the last two friendlies, including Brahim Diaz, Abde Ezzalzouli, Nayef Aguerd, and Roman Saiss. Tags: Achraf HakimiAtlas LionsBeninBrahim DiazMoroccoTunisiaWalid Regragui
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