Brahim Diaz celebrates after giving Morocco the lead of their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in opposition to Cameroon. Picture: AFP
RABAT:
Morocco coach Walid Regragui is predicting that Brahim Diaz may very well be the catalyst for his aspect as they bid to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the primary time in half a century on Sunday.
Diaz is the highest scorer on the match with 5 targets in six matches nevertheless it has been his dribbling play and fixed probing of opposing defences which have seen him emerge as the most effective gamers during the last month of competitors.
Morocco tackle Senegal in Rabat in Sunday’s closing and the stress is on the Actual Madrid midfielder to ship for the hosts, whose solely earlier Cup of Nations success was in 1976.
“His mentality is powerful, he performs with quite a lot of want,” Regragui mentioned of Diaz in Saturday’s pre-match press convention.
“He is aware of he has to make a distinction. A very powerful factor is how he orchestrates the attacking phases.”
Diaz is a former Spain worldwide, with a father from Morocco, who was persuaded to change his worldwide allegiance two years in the past.
“I am pleased as a result of three years in the past there was the undertaking of coming to play for Morocco. There have been individuals who wished him right here, he felt he might assist us win titles and play within the World Cup and that is what occurred,” Regragui added.
Prime-ranked Morocco have at instances within the match seemed to be struggling below the burden of expectation however placed on convincing performances in each the quarter-final and semi-final to advance to the deciding recreation.
“It is going to be about managing feelings. The group below stress is Morocco, we’re enjoying at residence however we mustn’t put stress on ourselves.
“The gamers perceive that they should chill out. That is my solely concern. We will be dealing with a group that is used to enjoying in finals, that’s assured.
“Senegal are robust. It is going to be an ideal closing, it is 50-50. We’d have a 51% likelihood with the gang,” the coach added.
Regragui additionally admitted that getting so near success after a long time of missed alternative for Morocco meant it was crucial to win Sunday’s closing,
“We have been a profitable group for some time now. We do not wish to miss out on this opportunity,” he mentioned.
