By Michael Madyira
Morocco coach Walid Regragui has defended his team’s defeat to Bafana Bafana, saying his players were focused on the off-season break.
The Atas Lions were shocked 2-1 by Hugo Broos’ side in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
With most players around the world already on the off-season break, Regragui feels his men were in holiday mood, hence they did not give their all.
“Congratulations to Bafana Bafana for the victory at home,” Regragui told the media.
“They played very well with intensity and good spirit. We played with low intensity in the first half. We thought the game was easy and my goalkeeper made a mistake.
“He helped give the opponent some confidence. We also gave the opponents a lot of opportunities, which is not normal at this level.
“But as I said before, I don’t care about losing two or three games before Afcon, and my players listened to that today. My players had their minds on the holidays and I tend to understand that.”
Saturday’s result was a reversal of matters by Bafana who lost 2-1 away in Morocco in the reverse fixture 12 months ago.
Regragui, however, believes South Africa deserved the victory.
“I think in the second half we had more intensity and had more opportunities, but Bafana Bafana deserves a victory and congratulations,” said the former Wydad Casablanca trainer.
“I learnt a lot about this game, we changed a lot of players. What is important now is recovery and in September we begin to get ready for the Afcon in Ivory Coast.”
Making the victory one to cherish for Bafana is that they overpowered a team that edged global powerhouses Brazil 2-1 in an international friendly match three months ago.
Pictured above: South Africa vs Morocco
Image source: Royal Moroccan Football Federation
