Ramzi: Wydad don't have the same hunger as before

by Staff Reporter

Monday Nov 27, 2023. 16:14

Wydad Casablanca head coach Adil Ramzi revealed that coming up short in the African Football League is still weighing heavy on the players’ minds after their shock 1-0 defeat to Jwaneng Galaxy on Saturday.

Galaxy made history at the Marrakesh Stadium when Thabang Sesinyi’s 33rd-minute goal clinched their first-ever victory in the CAF Champions League group stages to send shockwaves across the continent.

The Botswana Premier League champions had already caused a major upset by eliminating Orlando Pirates in the second round of qualifying, but their win over last season’s losing finalists was an even greater achievement.

Ramzi’s side had also reached the final of the inaugural 2023 African Football League and it ended in more disappointment after they lost 3-2 on aggregate to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Ramzi cut a frustrating figure after the Group B opener in Marrakesh, admitting that morale is at an all-time low in the squad and apologised for their lackluster performance on home soil.

“I will admit to you that I am frustrated and upset, and I say I am sorry,” he said in the post-match press conference.

“I feel that the team’s players have still not recovered from the disappointment of the African League so far, and they no longer have the same hunger as before.

“We made a mistake for which we paid heavily. We lost because the performance was not as it should have been. Losing will bring the players back to reality, and will impose on us a kind of humility, and that we have not accomplished anything major yet.

“I am not satisfied, but not for everyone, and I will address the issue internally with the players in order to find out what happened.

“Morale is at rock bottom, but time is not enough for us because we have strong matches waiting for us: the League Clasico and the ASEC match, and I will look to see who is mentally prepared for these matches.”