With Morocco having just beaten his home nation to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, Jose Mourinho has lauded coach Walid Regragui for making history with the Atlas Lions.
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The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager witnessed his compatriots lose to the north African giants this past weekend. Youssef En-Nesyri's header was the difference as Regragui and his charges became the first-ever African nation to make it to the final four of the World Cup.
Mourinho has praised Regragui for his ability to be tactically flexible in the midst of persistent injuries to players, and also praised some standout performers in the Morocco squad.
"When I saw the game [against Portugal] starting and the team without [Noussair] Mazraoui and [Nayef] Aguerd, I thought problems to Morocco but it was not a problem," Mourinho said, as per Goal.
"When I saw [Romain] Saiss in the beginning of the second half, their captain, their leader, the centre-back, a crucial position in that kind of match, when I saw him leave also injured, I thought big problems for them but it was not a problem.
"The coach organised the team very well, starting with 4-3-3, he was able to change during the game to 5-4-1. He saw the danger, he saw Portugal accumulating lots of players in finishing areas and he found a way to control the game.
"They have individuals, [shot-stopper Yassine] Bounou was an individual during the competition and in this game was the same; [Sofyan] Amrabat, I know him from Italian football, very good player; but their No. 8, the young boy that plays in France in Angers, [Azzedine] Ounahi was absolutely incredible. So, they have players, a coach and an incredible spirit."
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The 1976 Africa Cup of Nations champions, who have been praised by many since their latest win, now stand on the precipice of progressing to the final, but will have to beat reigning world champions France in the penultimate stage of the cup to play in football's biggest game.
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