Rabat – Morocco’s national futsal team coach, Hicham Dguig, has revealed the key factors behind the Atlas Lions’ fourth consecutive Africa Futsal Cup of Nations title, following their 5-2 victory over Angola in Wednesday’s final.
Speaking to reporters after the match on October 21, Dguig stressed that hard work and continuous improvement remain essential to maintaining Morocco’s position at the top of African futsal.
The Moroccan coach explained that the national team must constantly develop its playing style because opponents have become increasingly familiar with its tactical approach.
“Our opponents now know our tactical approach very well, which means we must always surprise them with new ideas and renew our playing style,” Dguig said.
He added that competing successfully on the international stage requires Morocco to maintain its dominance in Africa while continuing to improve its overall performance.
Dguig explains Morocco’s performance against Angola
Analyzing Wednesday’s final, Dguig acknowledged that his players struggled at times during the first half due to excessive enthusiasm and pressure from the large crowd.
He explained that these factors prevented the team from following certain tactical instructions accurately, making it difficult to fully control the game.
However, the Atlas Lions regained their balance after halftime and showed greater attacking efficiency, eventually securing a 5-2 victory to claim another continental title.
Dguig also recognized the quality of the Angolan national team, describing its players as technically skilled and capable of competing at a high level.
He noted that several Angolan players compete in the Portuguese league, giving them valuable experience against strong opponents.
The Moroccan coach added that Angola entered the final without significant pressure, allowing its players to perform with greater freedom.
Despite the challenges, Dguig expressed satisfaction with Morocco’s defensive performance throughout the competition, highlighting that the team conceded only two goals during the tournament.
Maintaining Morocco’s dominance in African futsal
Beyond the latest victory, Dguig emphasized that maintaining success requires patience, discipline, and continuous development.
He also highlighted the challenges of managing the national team, particularly when selecting a final squad limited to just 14 players.
According to the coach, choosing the right players involves careful evaluation and specific criteria to ensure the team remains competitive.
Morocco’s latest triumph marks the country’s fourth consecutive Africa Futsal Cup of Nations title, further strengthening its position among the continent’s leading futsal nations.
Dguig expressed that this achievement is not a reason to slow down. The Moroccan coach believes that staying at the top requires constant tactical innovation and a commitment to improving the team’s performance.
With another African title secured, the Atlas Lions will look to build on their continental success and continue competing at the highest level internationally.
