Walid Regragui pleased as Morocco begin Afcon 2023 with 'important' win over Tanzania

Atlas Lions ease to a 3-0 victory in San-Pedro to affirm their status as pre-tournament favourites

Morocco's Romain Saiss, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the African Cup of Nations Group F soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro, Ivory Coast, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (AP Photo / Themba Hadebe)

Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri heads the ball during the match against Tanzania. AP

Morocco supporters cheer on their team inside the Stade Laurent Pokou. AFP

Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates after scoring Morocco's third goal against Tanzania. AP

Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi heads the ball in front of Tanzania midfielder Himid Mao. AFP

Morocco players celebrate after winning their Africa Cup of Nations match against Tanzania. AFP

Azzedine Ounahi, left, celebrates with Mohamed Chibi after scoring Morocco's second goal. AP

Morocco fans celebrate during the match against Tanzania at Stade Laurent Pokou. AFP

Tanzania defender Ibrahim Hamad argues with Morocco defender Mohamed Chibi and midfielder Selim Amallah as referee Al Hadi Allou Mahamat tries to intervene. AFP

Tanzania's Morice Abraham tries to break clear with the ball against Morocco's Selim Amallah. AP

Morocco midfielder Hakim Ziyech shrigs off a challenge from Tanzania defender Ibrahim Hamad. AFP

Morocco manager Walid Regragui gives out instructions from the touchline. AFP

Morocco full-back Achraf Hakimi controls the ball in the air ahead of Tanzania's Tarryn Allarakhia. AP

Tanzania's defender Novatus Miroshi speaks with referee Al Hadi Allou Mahamat. Miroshi was sent off in the second half. AFP

Morocco manager Walid Regragui said he was pleased with his team's opening performance at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday after the World Cup semi-finalists eased to a 3-0 victory over Tanzania.

Captain Romain Saiss, Azzedine Ounahi and Youssef En-Nesyri all netted for Morocco in the Ivorian coastal city of San-Pedro, while Tanzania had Novatus Miroshi sent off.

"First matches are always difficult, and the humidity made this one tough, but we respected Tanzania," said Regragui after Wednesday's Group F clash.

"The team's spirit was very good and we got an important win."

Although an African powerhouse for decades and one of the pre-tournament favourites, Morocco are seeking only a second Afcon title, 48 years after lifting the trophy in Ethiopia.

Morocco sprang to international prominence just over a year ago in Qatar when they became the first African World Cup semi-finalists, eliminating Spain and Portugal along the way.

Morocco began with seven of the team that started in the 2-0 World Cup semi-final loss to France in Qatar. There were three La Liga players, two each from the Premier League and Ligue 1 and two with Saudi Pro League sides.

This contrasted sharply with Tanzania, whose line-up included Tarryn Allarakhia from English fifth-tier outfit Wealdstone. The winger struggled in sweltering conditions and was replaced after 38 minutes, by which time Morocco were already ahead.

Hakim Ziyech, on loan at Galatasaray from Chelsea, lifted a free kick over the defensive wall and when goalkeeper Aisha Manula failed to grasp it, Saiss converted the loose ball.

Tanzanian hopes of finding an equaliser suffered a huge blow with 20 minutes remaining when Miroshi fouled Ounahi and was sent off for a second booking.

Ounahi rounded off a fine move to make it 2-0 on 77 minutes, and the scoring was complete shortly after when En-Nesyri converted a low cross for a goal that was confirmed as onside following a VAR check.

"We wanted to score early and had chances, but the goal finally came from a set piece. Once we scored, that was the hard part done," Regragui said. "At times in the second half, we accepted not having the ball and managed the game like a great team."

Regragui believes Morocco benefitted from being one of the last teams to play their opening group game, allowing the manager to analyse where other sides struggled in the conditions.

"Seeing their first matches allowed us to avoid the same mistakes," he said. "We noticed many sides declined physically in the second half, so we prepared to stay fresh."

Morocco face DR Congo in their second Group F match on Sunday and another victory will send them through to the last 16.

Tanzania, meanwhile, will take on Zambia on the same day, and manager Adel Amrouche admitted the gulf in class between his side and Morocco proved the difference on Wednesday.

"Our gameplan failed. We did not expect this scenario but I congratulate Morocco for their performance and result," he said. "The quality of Morocco's players made the difference and they deserved to win."