El Khatoui: "We Blame Ourselves for Wasted First-Half Chances"
T.E (Elbotola)
11 April 2026at19:00
Shukri El Khatoui, head coach of Olympique Safi, expressed his dissatisfaction with the draw against USM Alger in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final.
Following the match, El Khatoui stated: "We are satisfied with the result, but we blame ourselves for the chances we squandered in the first half, whereas the opponent had the advantage in the second half."
He continued: "We are looking forward to the return leg, and we must prepare thoroughly to bring joy to our supporters. We need to step onto the pitch and be in our best form to secure a victory in the second leg."
El Khatoui added: "El Hamiani's impact is evident, and El Moutie produced a magnificent save. We face challenges on many occasions, but we are a collective unit, and we thank the players for their performance against a team that has been crowned champions twice."
What was Shukri El Khatoui's reaction to Olympique Safi's draw?
Shukri El Khatoui expressed mixed feelings after Olympique Safi's draw against USM Alger in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first leg. He was satisfied with the overall result but blamed his team for squandering key opportunities in the first half.
How did Olympique Safi perform against USM Alger?
Olympique Safi secured a draw in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final. Coach El Khatoui noted his team dominated the first half, creating numerous chances, while their opponents, a two-time champion, gained an advantage in the second period.
What are Olympique Safi's plans for the CAF Confederation Cup return leg?
Olympique Safi's coach Shukri El Khatoui is focused on thorough preparation for the CAF Confederation Cup return leg. He emphasized the need for the team to be in their best form to secure a victory and bring joy to their supporters in the upcoming match.
