RABAT — While Zambia captain Fashion Sakala believes his side’s match against Morocco tomorrow will be a 50/50 affair, Atlas Lions skipper Achraf Hakimi insists there are no easy games at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Hakimi was responding to a question from this reporter on whether he agreed with Sakala’s assessment, given that historically, both nations have won the AFCON just once.
“As I said before, we had to respect all the opponents. There isn’t an easy team in this tournament. Even with all the matches I’ve seen recently, there aren’t any easy teams,” Hakimi, who is expected to make his first appearance at the tournament tomorrow, said.
“There are surprises. We had to respect all the opponents. I like that we’ve already played a very difficult opponent here with fast, strong players that we had to respect. We had to stay focused. We had to do our job as we did, and as I say, we had to respect the opponent, and after that, I hope that when we go for the win, it’ll be alright, but we had to respect the opponent like that so they can respect us too.”
Hakimi also admitted that the AFCON is a very difficult tournament.
“It’s true that I think this CAN is not easy. We have already seen other national teams that have played big matches. I know that the supporters and the journalists are very demanding. They wanted Morocco to win all the time. They think it’s easy, but you must not forget to leave your head on your shoulders. I know that Morocco is a big nation that wants to win all the time. There are adversaries. This CAN will not be easy,” he stated.
“I think we are working very well. Each match, we take more confidence. We know what we have to do. We know what we have to improve. And we are working on it. The coach does a great job. We are happy. I think that in each match, you will see a much better Morocco team, but we also need everyone.”
Morocco have four points after beating Comoros 2-0 in their opening match and drawing 1-1 with Mali. Zambia, on the other hand, have two points following a 1-1 draw with Mali and a goalless stalemate against Comoros.
The Chipolopolo must beat Morocco to advance to the round of 16, or at least secure a draw and hope results in other groups go in their favour to progress as one of the four best third-placed teams.
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