Rabat – Gabon head coach Sébastien Migné hailed Morocco’s performance following the Atlas Lions’ 2-0 victory over Gabon in the opening round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Migné said Morocco’s performance did not surprise him, noting that the team played in line with what Gabon had expected.
“I was not surprised by Morocco’s level or their style of play. It was exactly what we expected from them. It is a very high level, and we are far from that,” Migné said.
The Gabon coach also highlighted Morocco’s clear playing principles, particularly their build-up play and use of triangular combinations on the wings.
He pointed to the first half as an example of the Atlas Lions’ approach, particularly their use of triangular combinations on the flanks.
Migné also said he was slightly surprised by the number of young players in Morocco’s starting lineup. However, he noted that the players had already demonstrated their potential.
“Perhaps I was a little surprised to see so many young players in the starting lineup, but they are Under-20 world champions, and we know that there is a large pool of talent,” he said.
The Gabon coach also said that giving young players playing time and experience was an appropriate approach for Morocco, particularly at the beginning of a new competition and in front of their home supporters.
For Gabon, Migné described the match against Morocco as a “first step” for his team in the new qualifying campaign.
Morocco opened their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Gabon, securing three points in their first Group B fixture.
Read also: Morocco Secure 2-0 Win Over Gabon in AFCON Opener
