Morocco coach Ammouta admits ‘tough’ CHAN despite progress

Morocco trainer Houcine Ammouta has admitted that there are no pushovers in the TOTAL African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cameroon despite reaching the last eight of the tournament.

The title holders have been sluggish since the start of the tournament but they turned on the style on Tuesday when defeating Uganda 5-2 to top Group C.

The result means they advance to the quarter-finals keeping alive their hopes of winning the trophy they won on home soil three years ago.

Two goals by Soufiane Rahimi and further strikes by Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza El Moussaoui, and an own goal by goalkeeper Charles Lukwago steered the Atlas Lions to the victory.

Midfielders Ibrahim Orit and Saidi Kyeyune scored for the Ugandans but their efforts were not enough to prevent them from the heavy defeat.

Ammouta says despite their impressive victory over the Cranes, their opponents made them sweat for the result, typical of the stiff opposition they have faced since the start of the competition.

“It was not an easy game. We missed a lot of chances. We got back to the score in time,” Ammouta said the post-match press conference.

“After that we didn’t talk about the goals that made the difference against this deserving and combative Ugandan team.

“It's a benchmark game for us. It's a tough competition.”

Morocco top the group with seven points and keep their hopes of retaining the title they won on home soil of the competition designed exclusively for home-based players.