AFCON 2023 - Benabicha: "DR Congo are outsiders, Zambia impress me"
AFCON 2023 - Benabicha: "DR Congo are outsiders, Zambia impress me, Morocco will be one to watch".
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Since finishing fourth at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco have been billed as favourites for the Africa Cup of Nations. Do you share that view?
Yes. They are, as are Senegal, the holders, Ivory Coast, the host nation, Algeria and Egypt. I'm also thinking of Cameroon, Nigeria and Tunisia, who have ambitions. After the World Cup they had, Morocco are obviously under the spotlight. But we shouldn't forget that North African sides very often struggle in sub-Saharan Africa because of the heat, the humidity and sometimes the state of the pitches. That is a little less true of Tunisia and Egypt, though, as several of their internationals play in the domestic league and so are used to African club competition matches in sub-Saharan Africa.
Which is not quite the case for Morocco…
True. There are several dual nationals born in France or the Netherlands who have fewer reference points in that part of the African continent. But we saw, in the win in Tanzania (2-0) last November in World Cup qualifying, or in the friendly in Ivory Coast in October (1-1), that the Lions knew how to travel.
"Regragui is doing a very good job"
In Qatar, Morocco built their success, notably against Belgium (2-0), Spain (0-0, 3-0 on penalties) and Portugal (1-0), by playing on the counter against opponents presumed to be stronger. Could that approach work in Ivory Coast?
No. Morocco will face DR Congo, Tanzania and Zambia, and they are not only the favourites in the group but also for the tournament. I think the Lions will look to play their usual game and attack. I can't really see them adopting a defensive stance against opponents who are weaker than them on paper.
What is your view of Walid Regragui, the Morocco coach?
He is doing a truly excellent job. Don't forget he was appointed three months before the World Cup! Since Qatar, the team have confirmed their status. They qualified for the AFCON, beat Brazil (2-1) and Burkina Faso (1-0) and drew in Ivory Coast (1-1) in friendlies. Regragui is a very good coach, ambitious and pragmatic, and he knows what he is doing. He wants to win this AFCON, but he knows it will be difficult and that other teams have the same ambition.
Before thinking about a possible second title after the one in 1976, they will first have to get out of Group F. What do you make of the Atlas Lions' three opponents?
DR Congo have turned things around in recent months, having started their AFCON qualifying campaign very badly. They are a good side with experienced players and I think DRC are outsiders in the competition. Zambia impress me. They are used to finals tournaments and have played well in recent months, notably against Ivory Coast. As for Tanzania, they are improving. You can see it from the results of their clubs in the two African cups.
Alexis Billebault