Regragui Targets Last-16 & Opens Up On Ziyech Return

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui believes his side can still improve ahead of their make-or-break clash against Canada in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Atlas Lions played to a goalless draw with 2018 runners-up Croatia before beating Belgium 2-0 to set up a tense finale against the 2026 World Cup hosts.

Victory would eliminate either European side, who meet each other on Thursday afternoon at 15h00.

“We can still do better, we can still improve – the more we play together, the better we will get – we are a difficult team to beat,” he said, as per BBC Football.

“We haven’t qualified yet and I am not happy with four points – I want more than that. It’s going to be even tougher when we get to the knockout stage, but we have matched two of the best teams in the world.

“With these fans, players and this spirit, we can do anything.

“The competition is not over. We have to recover quickly for the game against Canada. Hopefully, we can get a good result for the qualification.”

Having been appointed as a replacement for Vahid Halilhodzic in August, Regragui’s side has yet to concede a goal in his five games in charge.

And his appointment coincided with the returns of star forwards Hakim Ziyech and Abderrazak Hamdallah, and the former, who put in a Man of the Match display against the Red Devils earned special praise from the CAF Champions League winning coach.

“This guy is incredible – his spirit – when he comes in the national team and you give him love and confidence, he can die for you,” Regragui said.

“Hakim is a key player, when you have him in the team, it’s a different team. He only needs a coach to give him confidence.”