Saïss: "We Were Eliminated by Lesser Teams in the Past; We Must Not Repeat Those Mistakes"

Morocco captain Romain Saïss affirmed that success in the Africa Cup of Nations is not solely measured by technical talent, but is primarily linked to mental strength, discipline, and the ability to make sacrifices. He emphasized the necessity of possessing "mental immunity" and complete focus to avoid surprises from opponents across the African continent.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Saïss stated: "In the past, we suffered and were eliminated by teams that were of a lower standard than us because we didn't do what was required to qualify. This is the aspect that we, the experienced players, are focusing on with the younger elements, especially since many of them are playing in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. This tournament can generate a certain kind of pressure, whether due to the fans or the desire to shine."

He added: "It's important to maintain this discourse within the group. We saw in the last match how cohesive we were for 90 minutes, and in the end, we enjoyed ourselves and made the fans happy, which is the most important thing."

Regarding the secret behind their recent positive results, Saïss stressed that mental fortitude and tactical discipline will be the decisive factors in the upcoming stages: "We have players who play in the best European, African, and Asian leagues, but the crucial factor is the psychological readiness to sacrifice on the field. The opponent's name doesn't matter; what matters is what we deliver in every match."

He continued: "We know we are favorites in this match, but we must approach the game with great humility and strong desire. It's not about the opponent as much as it is about ourselves and what we will deliver on the field to qualify. We have a specific goal, and tomorrow an obstacle named Tanzania awaits us. We will do everything to overcome it, by playing beautiful football, having the right mentality on the pitch, and showcasing the values that have distinguished us since the start of the competition. Despite the initial criticisms we faced, we are confident that tomorrow's match will go in the right direction."

In response to a question about the absence of some Moroccan players from the "ideal lineup" of the group stage, Saïss said: "Every entity creates its ideal lineup, whether it's CAF or the media, and they are often different. The most important thing for us is not to be in the ideal lineup, but to win the title. Everyone wishes to see 11 Moroccan players in that lineup, but the most important thing is for us to lift the trophy in the end."

He concluded: "Now a new competition begins, with a very important first match. We must not underestimate the opponent and not repeat the same mistakes that happened in the past. We are ready, and we have prepared well for this encounter, so we are focused and not thinking about making plans for the rest of the competition."