Regragui: Don't Rush Ait Boudlal's Development, Mali Pose Technical Threat

Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan national team, confirmed that he has been following the development of defender Ait Boudlal for many years, praising the level the player has recently shown. His comments came ahead of Morocco's match against Mali in the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations group stage.

During a press conference, Regragui stated: “I have coached in Morocco for 10 years, at a developmental club like Fath Union Sport (FUS). In the same region where the academy is located, he is a wonderful talent, and his journey has seen both progress and setbacks.”

The national coach continued: “I called him up a year and a half ago when he was a substitute at Rennes, and I faced criticism at the time. Today, everyone praises him, which confirms our long-term vision.”

Regragui further added: “We must not rush the player. We will introduce him at the optimal time in the match, and we will see whether he starts tomorrow or not.”

Regarding fan expectations and the upcoming match, the "Atlas Lions" coach added: “We know that the Moroccan public always seeks perfection, and they have every right to. However, playing at a high level sometimes puts you in difficult situations.”

Regragui concluded his statements by saying: “Tomorrow's match will be different, against a Mali national team that possesses a strong character. We might suffer during the game because they are technically strong.”