Regragui: 'You Can Finish Third Like Ivory Coast, Who Morocco Helped Qualify, and Win the Africa Cup'

National coach Walid Regragui affirmed that the 1-1 draw against Mali in the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations should not cause concern. He emphasized that the priority is to continue steadily progressing towards the knockout stages without overstating the results of the group stage.

Speaking after the match, Regragui stated that the national team "is still at the top with four points." He recalled "Ivory Coast's experience in the previous edition," where the host nation finished third in the group stage before going on to win the title.

Walid added: "The road to winning the Africa Cup is long. We are currently at the top with four points, and in Ivory Coast, we finished the group stage as leaders, but this doesn't mean anything, because you might finish top of your group and get eliminated in the round of 16. The unfortunate truth in this competition is that you can finish third, like Ivory Coast, who Morocco helped qualify, and still win AFCON."