Morocco National Team coach Walid Regragui hailed South Africa’s fighting spirit on Saturday at the FNB Stadium.
Bafana concluded their Group K matches in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a massive 2-1 win over the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinalists.
An own-goal from Munir and Zakhele Lepasa’s second-half strike where enough for South Africa to grab all three points and top the group with 7 points.
Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech beat Ronwen Williams in the bottom corner to score his 20th goal for the Atlas Lions and consolation in that game.
Speaking shortly after the match, Regragui said his players had their minds on holiday after a busy season.
“They have their minds on holiday and I tend to understand that,” He said.
However, he went on to say South Africa deserved the win for their impressive fighting spirit.
“But I think in the second half there was more intensity, more opportunity, but finally, Bafana Bafana deserves the victory, congratulations.”
Regragui who was without key players like Sofyan Amrabat and Sofiane Boufal said South Africa might be a surprise package at the 2023 AFCON finals next year.
“I think in the African Cup, they can make a surprise with this spirit, but I’m very happy to see [and play] against this team because South Africa has worked a lot on their football and have good players.”
The Atlas Lions will face Liberia in September for their final Group K game. They could finish top of the group if they win that match.
