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Moroccan international and Sevilla FC goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has reacted to the 2022 World Cup draw, by stating that Atlas Lions are determined to build on their past experience in the 2018 World Cup and achieve impressive results in the much-anticipated competition.
Speaking to the Spanish sports radio channel Radio Marca on April 6, Bounou noted that he had a strong feeling that Canada would end up in the same group as Morocco.
“I saw Canada in pot four and said it was our turn for sure,” Sevilla FC goalkeeper said.
He further noted that the draw placed Morocco in a tough group and against strong opponents, but the Moroccan squad vies to revive the 1986 World Cup memories when the national team qualified for the quarter-finals.
Despite a disappointing elimination from the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the 31-year-old goalkeeper said that the African tournament served Morocco’s Atlas Lions well, giving them the opportunity to reflect on their weaknesses and be fully prepared for the World Cup playoffs.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions left the AFCON tournament after losing against Egypt in the quarter-finals. Unlike Egypt, the AFCON runners-up, Morocco’s national team clinched their ticket to the world’s most prestigious football competition to be held in Qatar this winter.
Bounou clearly stated that ensuring participation in the World Cup is much more valuable and decisive than the recent AFCON disappointment. He pointed out that Egypt would have preferred to lose their quarter-finals game against Morocco in turn for a place on the world football’s biggest stage.
“The AFCON served us well. Egypt defeated us and now they are not in the World Cup. Surely they would have preferred to lose against us and be in the World Cup,” Bounou outlined.
Read also: Morocco’s Bounou Could Be 1st Goalkeeper in Seville History To Win Zamora Trophy
Bounou has been in exceptional form lately with both his current club Sevilla FC and Morocco’s national team.
He has been an indispensable player in the Moroccan squad and one of the architects of the team’s World Cup qualification.
The same goes for his appearances with Sevilla FC. The Moroccan football star has been delivering eye-catching performances this season and attracting the attention of Europe’s big clubs.
In recognition of his spectacular saves, Bounou could be the first goalkeeper in the Spanish club’s history to win the Zamora trophy.
Bounou is only four games away from winning the trophy, Spanish sports news outlet Mundo Deportivo reported on Wednesday.
