Following the Moroccan national team’s 1-2 loss to their South African opponent in the penultimate round of the African Cup of Nations qualifications, national coach Walid Regragui expressed his extreme dissatisfaction.

Despite the defeat, Regragui admitted that the setback at this point might improve the team’s performance in the future as it gives them time to evaluate their tactics before the finals.

Regragui congratulated the South African team during the post-game press conference, highlighting their well-earned victory on home soil.

He praised them for their outstanding performance and positive attitude throughout the game. Regragui acknowledged that his squad did not play at their peak during the opening period, giving their opponents multiple opportunities—an inexcusable error at such a crucial point in the match.

He did, however, underline his disregard for a few defeats in the run-up to the African Nations Cup finals, suggesting that his remarks might have had an impact on the players’ perspective.

“In the second half, we played with renewed enthusiasm and created numerous scoring chances. However, in the end, our opponents proved more deserving of the win.”

“We made several changes in this match, aiming to observe and evaluate as many players as possible. Some players gained points to secure their return to the national team, while others failed to impress. This was the purpose of the meeting—to gain a clearer perspective.”

“I stand by my initial statement,” the coach insisted. For the time being, our first priority is to take a rest and really get ready for the African Cup of Nations finals in September. All teams face difficulties in June since many players have just finished a taxing European season. To demand more than they are capable of doing at this point, when exhaustion is common, would be unfair.

Read Also: Morocco defeated in South Africa friendly 1-2

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The design contract for the Marrakech-Agadir high-speed train line has just been assigned to the South Korean corporation KNR, which is in charge of the Korean national railway.

According to www.railjournal.com, the corporation in charge of the South Korean national railway, KNR (Korean National Railway), has just won the design contract for Marrakech-Agadir TGV route. “A consortium led by Korean National Railways (KNR) won a 10 billion (US$32 million) contract with ONCF to provide basic and detailed design services for the third section of the planned 230-kilometer Marrakech-Agadir high-speed line,” the newspaper reports, adding that KNR will work with Dohwa Engineering of Korea and a local partner to complete the project.

According to the same source, the Korean firm has been successful in eliminating competition from French engineering firms already involved in the Moroccan high-speed sector. It’s worth noting that this is KNR’s first contract in Africa for high-speed work. Next month, the group plans to begin work on the project. “In January, Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics Mohamed Abdeljalil told the House of Representatives that ONCF had completed the design studies for the Marrakech-Agadir project, which included infrastructure and construction work. The newspaper recounts civil engineering and topographical surveys.

It’s worth noting that the Marrakech-Agadir TGV Line is anticipated to cost 50 billion DH (5.08 billion USD) and that its completion is contingent on receiving the necessary funding, given that the government is open to a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Furthermore, the newspaper reports that work to modernize the existing railway line at the Kenitra-Rabat high-speed line’s terminus is already beginning, and that Morocco is considering extending the Rabat-Casablanca high-speed line. To provide a comprehensive Tangier – Agadir corridor in Marrakech. “Awarding this project was an opportunity to show the world that Korea has the technology to export high-speed rail concepts,” KNR president Kim Han-young said.

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