Walid Regragui wants his Morocco players fully focused against South Africa

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui insisted there can be no slip-ups from his side at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 1976 champions finished top of their group with wins over Tanzania and Zambia either side of a draw against DR Congo to set up a last-16 clash against South Africa in San Pedro on Tuesday.

South Africa prevailed 2-1 when the teams met in the tournament qualifier in June so Regragui is taking nothing for granted.

الإستعدادات متواصلة لمباراة جنوب إفريقيا

Countdown for Morocco vs South Africa #DimaMaghrib pic.twitter.com/Nv4AJmecc6

— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) January 28, 2024

“It’s a knockout match, it’s a change of competition, we can’t afford to make any mistake,” Regragui said in quotes on the tournament website. “We’ve done well so far, but we want to do better.

“We have a lot of respect for South Africa. They were the last team to beat us on the continent. We’re not in a favourable position, which is why I’m insisting on my group’s humility.”

Sofiane Boufal is likely to miss the rest of the tournament with a muscular problem while Hakim Ziyech is struggling with an ankle knock.

“The medical staff and I are doing everything we can to get him back on the pitch,” Regragui added. “If we have to take a risk with him, we’ll take it.”

Stadium familiarisation, at Stade Laurent Pokou, where it all goes down tomorrow night. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/xU6aHISAcx

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) January 29, 2024

South Africa bounced back from a 2-0 defeat to Mali in the tournament opener to beat Namibia 4-0 and hold Tunisia to a goalless draw to finish second in their group.

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos said: “We already beat Morocco a year ago and we can do it again. Anything is possible and we want to create another surprise in this competition.

“We’re confident, we believe in ourselves and in what we can do. I think we’ll have to go into this match with the same frame of mind we’ve had recently, but I want us to be at a very high level.”