TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON: Morocco coach Dguig welcomes ‘positive’ pressure in title defence

Morocco coach Hicham Dguig says his team will be under positive pressure when they face Angola in Group A of the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat.

The World Cup quarter-finalists will be playing behind an expectant home faithful when they open their account against Angola at the Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah on Thursady, 11 April, 2024 at 20:00 GMT.  

Morocco have won the last two editions of the highly technical fast-paced indoor football competition.

“It’s a positive problem and a challenge which we have to face but when the matches are played here it helps us to improve,” Dguig said at his pre-match press conference.

“Angola is a strong team and the public have to know that, and they play without any pressure and they have a coach from Portugal who are one of the best, but we hope our strategies will help us win the match.”

The two-time African champions have enjoyed massive progress under the tutelage of experienced coach Hicham Dguig, they’re currently ranked eighth on the World Rankings.

“The preparations are going on very well and the objective is very well to defend our title and qualify for the World Cup for the fourth time in a row,” Dguig said.

“The pressure is very real and when we get into the competition we have only one objective which is to be in the top spot.

“We have a lot of players who are talented from the clubs in the championship but we need players with experience who have the habit of playing together. That’s why I selected these players” concluded the coach.

The Atlas Lions will be hoping the support from their home fans will be enough to secure them a record equaling third TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations titles.