Walid Regragui, whose facet completed fourth within the Qatar match, says he hopes the efficiency will depart an enduring legacy.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui says his gamers will depart Qatar proud after changing into the primary African workforce to achieve the semifinal of a World Cup, including that he believes a workforce from the continent will win the match within the subsequent 20 years.
The Atlas Lions had been defeated 2-1 by Croatia on Saturday within the third-place playoff however Regragui praised his younger gamers saying they did every part he requested of them within the match, having crushed elite groups together with Belgium, Portugal and Spain on their strategy to the final 4.
“We wished to deliver pleasure to our followers however we’re nonetheless pleased, we’re among the many 4 greatest groups on the planet,” Regragui instructed reporters. “We offered everybody with a great present, we by no means gave up. Congratulations to Croatia, they deserve their third place. We’re a younger workforce that’s nonetheless studying.”
Regragui mentioned his facet, who had the very best defensive report in Qatar earlier than dropping 2-0 to France on Wednesday, felt the bodily toll of an intense match after taking part in their seventh match.
“Certain, I’m just a little dissatisfied by this second consecutive defeat, however we did every part that we might,” Regragui mentioned. “Bodily it was tough, our gamers bought drained, it was very intense. We wished to make the followers extra proud than they already had been, that’s it.”
Morocco completed high of the group that included Croatia and Belgium, who got here third on the 2018 World Cup, earlier than knocking out Spain and Portugal within the Spherical of 16 and eight, respectively.
Their run was ended within the semifinals by defending champions France, however Regragui has urged his gamers to again up their historic show by successful subsequent yr’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“I mentioned to the gamers within the altering room, if you wish to go down in historical past then you definitely’re going to should win the Africa Cup of Nations,” mentioned Regragui. “We have to dominate our continent.”
Morocco’s marketing campaign in Qatar additionally gave African soccer an enormous morale increase after not one of the 5 sides from the continent made it out of the group section in Russia in 2018.
“I believe we confirmed our energy, we confirmed that African soccer is ready to face the highest groups on the planet with effectivity and taking part in on the highest stage,” Regragui instructed a information convention.
“We most likely will solely realise what we completed in Qatar after 4 years, within the subsequent World Cup. The stress will even be better, there will probably be expectation round us. It’s pure.
“We made a terrific achievement however we wish to do it once more. It is not going to be simple however that’s the target.”
Regragui mentioned he hoped their efficiency in Qatar would depart an enduring legacy for African soccer.
“By means of expertise, you get stronger and I hope we study and develop and construct in our youngsters in Africa a soccer DNA that lasts,” he mentioned. “Now we have now allowed youngsters to dream, dream of being footballers and going to the World Cup. That’s priceless. As for the impression in our nation, we now have set the bar excessive.”
The subsequent World Cup in 2026, held throughout Canada, Mexico and america, will probably be expanded to 48 groups and Africa may have at the very least 9 slots – 4 greater than at current.
“With 9 contributors, we’re going to study. In 15, 20 years, I’m positive an African workforce will win the World Cup as a result of we’ll have realized,” mentioned Regragui.
“Now we have a stage to get previous. We have to construct on that, with onerous work and need. This DNA is not only being constructed for Morocco, however for the continent.”