Taifa Stars head coach Hemed Morocco says losing focus and underperforming in their opening match against Congo Brazzaville cost the team a full three points.
The national team kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw in Brazzaville on September 5, a result Morocco says highlighted areas that need immediate attention.
The team now returns home to face Niger in their second qualifier on September 9 at the New Amaan Stadium Complex in Zanzibar.
Speaking after the Congo match, Morocco acknowledged the mistakes and said the team would intensify training to address them ahead of the Niger game.
“Our aim was to secure three points, but we came away with one. It’s not ideal, but we are still in a decent position in the standings,” Morocco said.
He added, “The match was tough. Congo didn’t give us the space we needed to play our game. Still, earning a point away from home is something we can build on.”
Morocco remains optimistic about the next game, promising that Taifa Stars will put in a stronger performance against Niger than in their opening match.
