We deserved victory - Morocco coach Jamal Sellami

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Jan 15, 2018. 12:00

Morocco coach Jamal Sellami has expressed his belief that the Atlas Lions were worthy winners in the opening match of the 2018 African Nations Championship on Saturday night.

The host team claimed an emphatic 4-0 win over Mauritania in their opening Group A game in Casablanca, though they had to wait until 21 minutes into the second half to break the deadlock and open the floodgates.

In the end, a brace from Ayoub El Kaabi and goals from Ismail Haddad and Achraf Bencharki took Morocco to the three points.

“The opening match is always difficult,” Sellami said after the clash at Mohamed V Stadium.

He added, “Our first goal netted in the second half pushed us forward.”

The Morocco coach praised Mauritania for their performance but emphasised, “We deserved this victory.”

Sellami concluded, “Given the weather conditions, our public [supporters] deserves the victory.”

Morocco will return to action when they play Guinea in their second Group A game, scheduled for Wednesday evening in Casablanca.