Walid Regragui, whose aspect completed fourth within the Qatar event, says he hopes the efficiency will go away a long-lasting legacy.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui says his gamers will go away Qatar proud after turning into the primary African group to achieve the semifinal of a World Cup, including that he believes a group from the continent will win the event 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 all the pieces he requested of them within the event, having overwhelmed elite groups together with Belgium, Portugal and Spain on their option to the final 4.
“We needed to convey pleasure to our followers however we’re nonetheless comfortable, we’re among the many 4 finest groups on this planet,” Regragui instructed reporters. “We supplied everybody with a great present, we by no means gave up. Congratulations to Croatia, they deserve their third place. We're a younger group that's nonetheless studying.”
Regragui mentioned his aspect, who had the very best defensive document in Qatar earlier than dropping 2-0 to France on Wednesday, felt the bodily toll of an intense event after taking part in their seventh match.
“Certain, I'm just a little disenchanted by this second consecutive defeat, however we did all the pieces that we may,” Regragui mentioned. “Bodily it was tough, our gamers received drained, it was very intense. We needed 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 must 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 enhance 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 this planet with effectivity and taking part in on the highest degree,” 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 may even be better, there will probably be expectation round us. It’s pure.
“We made an important achievement however we need 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 go away a long-lasting legacy for African soccer.
“Via expertise, you get stronger and I hope we study and develop and construct in our kids in Africa a soccer DNA that lasts,” he mentioned. “We have now 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've set the bar excessive.”
The subsequent World Cup in 2026, held throughout Canada, Mexico and the US, will probably be expanded to 48 groups and Africa could have a minimum of 9 slots – 4 greater than at current.
“With 9 contributors, we’re going to study. In 15, 20 years, I’m positive an African group will win the World Cup as a result of we’ll have realized,” mentioned Regragui.
“We have now a stage to get previous. We have to construct on that, with onerous work and need. This DNA isn't just being constructed for Morocco, however for the continent.”
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