Salé: Morocco’s football head coach, Walid Regragui said on Tuesday that competition for spots on the national soccer team is fierce.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Regragui emphasized the intense competition among players, stating that the tougher the competition, the more options he has as a coach to assemble the best possible squad. This was highlighted during a press conference held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, ahead of Morocco’s upcoming matches against Gabon on November 15 in Franceville and Lesotho on November 18 at the Honor Stadium in Oujda. These matches are part of the CAN 2025 qualifiers, specifically Matchdays 5 and 6.

The national coach expressed pride in the growth of the national team, noting that it has become a formidable soccer nation. He pointed out that Morocco has been among the world’s Top 13 for the past two years, a status that has become an asset in attracting talented players.

Discussing preparations for the CAN 2025, Regragui highlighted the importance
of using the remaining matches to fine-tune the team’s performance. He underscored the importance of being ready for the CAN, especially since it will be held at home, emphasizing a duty to achieve results and display a high level of play.

Regragui addressed the absence of Hakim Ziyech, explaining that Ziyech has not competed for two months and needs to work with his team to regain his level before rejoining the national squad. He also commented on the call-up of Adam Masina, noting interest in observing the Torino player’s development in his new role as a central defender. Regragui mentioned that the team is making progress, and there could be additional profiles joining the national lineup in the future.