Rabat – Ecuador head coach Sebastien Beccacece has said he remains uncertain about what to expect from Morocco ahead of their upcoming friendly, pointing to the recent coaching change as a key factor
The two national teams will meet in a friendly match on Friday, 27, as Morocco continues its preparations ahead of the World Cup 2026.
However, Beccacece said Morocco’s identity on the pitch is not yet fully clear under new coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
Speaking to Spanish News outlet Diario AS, the Ecuador manager explained that the situation creates uncertainty. “We don’t know who we will face,” he said, referring to the impact of the coaching change.
Beccacece noted that Ouahbi arrives on the heels of a successful tenure after winning the World U20 with Morocco’s under-20 team, but added that it remains unclear how that will translate at the senior level.
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The Argentine coach also drew a comparison with Morocco’s approach before the 2022 World Cup. At that time, Walid Regragui took charge only weeks before the tournament and led the team to a historic semi-final, the only African team to have done so in the history of the global tournament.
“They have created their own model,” he said. “I don’t know if it comes from optimism or if it has become a habit.”
The Ecuador coach pointed to Abde Ezzalzouli, Brahim Diaz, and Achraf Hakimi as potential threats. He pointed to their attacking qualities, especially on the wings, as a key strength of the team.
Beccacece explained that Morocco’s style, particularly in wide areas, shares similarities with Côte d’Ivoire, which Ecuador will face later.
“Their wingers are very similar,” he said, suggesting that the game will act as a useful test before that match.
The match offers Ecuador a chance to adjust and evaluate their squad against a team with strong individual quality.
For Morocco, the game will be a key test for newly appointed coach Mohamed Ouahbi. It offers him the chance to understand his squad better, introduce new tactics, and help the players adapt.
Building momentum in these friendlies is vital, with the World Cup approaching, where the Atlas Lions are set to face Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti.
