Comoros Coach: 'Morocco Had Only One Shot on Target in First Half; We Couldn't Play Brazilian Football Against Them'

Comoros national team coach Stefano Cozin has responded to criticism directed at his squad's performance following their 2-0 defeat to Morocco in the opening round of the Africa Cup of Nations group stage. Cozin stressed that the match should be viewed realistically, considering the caliber of their opponent.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of their match against Zambia, Cozin stated: "Criticism is always present when you lose, and that's part of football. But should we be ashamed of losing to a team ranked 11th in the world, the best in Africa, playing at home in front of 70,000 spectators?"

The coach expressed his surprise at the severity of the criticism, saying: "What surprised me was the discussion about the criticism, because abroad, the situation was not viewed this way. Major newspapers in France, Italy, and England praised Comoros' performance, as they managed to trouble Morocco for a full hour, and that is what we should remember."

He continued: "Team development also involves mentality; this must be understood. We cannot adopt a 'Brazilian football' style against a team like Morocco. They are a very technical team, possessing speed and intensity in their play that surpasses what we have. It is important to understand this and convey it to the fans."

Regarding his tactical choices, he added: "We understand the fans' disappointment because we lost, or because they expected a more attacking approach from us; we accept that. However, we re-watched the match with the players, and Morocco registered only one shot on target in the first half, and we also had a shot on target and a clear scoring opportunity. This, too, must be understood."