TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON: Hicham Dguig credits FRMF for Atlas Lions success
Morocco coach Hicham Dguig says the Atlas Lions success is down to the giant strides taken by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) following their TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON semi final victory over Libya.
The Atlas Lions beat Libya 6-0 on Friday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall to qualify for the final and confirm their place in this year's FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.
"We have confirmed that we have the quality to perform and we have raised our game due to the giant strides taken by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and we will be the ambassadors of the continent in the next FIFA Futsal World Cup," the experienced Dguig said.
"To be honest these teams came here to qualify for the World Cup and you would realise Libya were already preparing for the third place match as the coach was reserving his best players.
"The match will be different against Angola because they will play their best to try and win the title."
The Morocco coach is sweating on the fitness of star man Youssef Jouad who was stretched off following a heavy challenge in the win over the Mediterranean Knights.
"I don't have an update on the severity of Youssef Jouad's injury at the moment. Jouad is one of the best players in the world," said Hicham.
Libya coach Ricardo Inuguez congratulated the Moroccan side for their triumph and admitted his team's struggles against the World Cup quarter finalists.
"Congratulations to Morocco for the victory and the quality of their players which was the difference," said the Spaniard.
"They didn't give us space and time to play our game due to their intense pressing which restrained us a lot. During the second we withdrew some of the players because we want to focus on the third place match on Sunday which is another opportunity to qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup.
"We tried to attack but Morocco didn't allow us the space and time. Against Egypt it will be a different scenario because that match we will be able to play more and hopefully secure the last ticket.
"Morocco has done really well by hosting a fantastic tournament with world class facilities and very polite fans so I think they deserve to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup," Ricardo concluded.