Sektioui: 'When Azarou Entered, Our Bench Was Without a Striker; How Can Hamdallah Be Banned for Two Games for an Unintentional Error?'

Tarik Sektioui, coach of the Moroccan national B team, discussed the difficulties his squad is facing in the Arab Cup. He specifically highlighted that Abderrazak Hamdallah did not deserve to miss the matches against Saudi Arabia and Syria, as he committed an unintentional error.

Sektioui stated in the press conference following the match: “I had hoped Tarik Tissoudali would continue playing, because when Walid Azarou entered the field, our reserve bench was left without a striker. Some ask why there are no wingers, but they don't know the difficulties we truly face and the lack of options.”

He further explained the tactical constraints: “If there had been another striker on the bench, I would have taken Karim El Berkaoui off, because he was physically exhausted. However, I couldn't substitute him even though I felt he needed to come off. Why? Because if he left and Azarou got injured, we would be left without a striker.”

Sektioui added that injuries and red cards have caused significant problems for the team. “Today, we see the absence of Anas Bach, and the squad has fewer than 23 players because, before the first match against Comoros, Hamza Hanouri was injured in the last 24 hours. Therefore, we are missing a player, and Azarou did not play in the last match due to a thigh problem.”

Concluding his remarks, Sektioui expressed his frustration with Hamdallah's suspension: “Hamdallah missed two matches, and I hope such matters will be rectified in the future, especially when a player does not commit an error intentionally. How many matches are there in the tournament? Only six matches every four years. How can a player who did not intentionally commit an error be deprived of two and a half matches?”