Bounou: 'Mentally Challenging to Face Match After AFCON Events'
T.E (Elbotola)
28 March 2026at19:00
Yassine Bounou, the Moroccan national team goalkeeper, spoke about the difficulty of the friendly match against Ecuador, noting that the players faced a significant mental challenge after what transpired in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
In his post-match statements, Bounou said: "It wasn't easy after what happened in AFCON for the players to mentally recover and face the difficulty of the match."
He continued: "In the first half, there were difficulties, but in the second half, we improved significantly, showed our character, and even the substitutes delivered a good performance."
Bounou concluded: "The Ecuador match remains a positive test for us."
Q&A
What mental challenge did Yassine Bounou describe after AFCON?
Yassine Bounou described the significant mental challenge of recovering from the events of the Africa Cup of Nations before facing Ecuador. He noted the difficulty in the first half, but praised the team's second-half improvement and character shown.
How did Morocco's performance evolve during the friendly match against Ecuador?
Morocco's performance against Ecuador evolved significantly, with initial difficulties in the first half. However, the team showed improved character and played much better in the second half, with substitutes also contributing positively to the overall effort.
Why did Yassine Bounou consider the Ecuador match a positive test for Morocco?
Yassine Bounou considered the Ecuador match a positive test because despite the mental hurdles post-AFCON, the team demonstrated resilience and improved significantly in the second half. This showed their character and the positive impact of substitute players.
