ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire – Morocco coach Walid Regragui has shouldered the blame for the 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their AFCON Group F match in Côte d’Ivoire.
“We started the match well. We created situations for ourselves but then we fell back and allowed them back into the game. The changes to bring more freshness didn’t work,” conceded the Atlas Lions coach.
“We didn’t know how to manage the match as required. I take responsibility for this match,” Regragui added.
Adding to taking the responsibility, Regragui added that they could have been better tactically in their approach.
“We left too much space between our lines. Tactically we should have been better. We perhaps respected DR Congo too much.
“They were the most difficult team in the group. They were motivated and vengeful. They were dangerous and their point was deserved,” he added.
Morocco remains at the top of group F with 4 points.
Morocco will take on the Zambians in their last group outing on Wednesday with the aim of wrapping up a spot in the knockout stage.
Achraf Hakimi had given heavily-fancied the Atlas Lions an early lead in San-Pedro, in the south-western corner of Côte d’Ivoire, and Cedric Bakambu missed a penalty for the Congolese before the interval.
But substitute Silas, of German Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart, swept home the equaliser on 76 minutes to ensure a share of the spoils.
Having beaten Tanzania 3-0 in their opening game, Morocco is on top of Group F with four points, with DR Congo on two points after starting by drawing 1-1 with Zambia.
The Atlas Lions beat DR Congo 5-2 on aggregate in a play-off to qualify for the last World Cup, and they looked to be on course for a comfortable win here when they went in front inside six minutes.
Hakimi was left unmarked at a corner from the Moroccan left, and the Paris Saint-Germain full-back duly dispatched a side foot volley low into the net.
The Leopards were awarded a penalty late in the first half for a Selim Amallah handball following a VAR check, but Galatasaray forward Bakambu’s kick hit the post and went wide.
Nevertheless, they remained a threat on the break in the second half and two substitutes combined as they drew level inside the final quarter of an hour.
Meschack Elia cut the ball back from the right side of the box for fellow substitute Silas to score, as DR Congo came from behind to draw for the second game in a row.
Morocco, chasing just a second AFCON title and a first since 1976, still know they will top the group by beating 2012 champions Zambia next.
DR Congo striker Silas Katompa Mvumpa expressed frustration after spurning chances to beat Morocco.
The substitute was named Man of the Match but feels DR Congo could have won after dominating the closing stages.
“I’m happy with the award but not the result,” Katompa said according to cafonline.
“There was room at the end for us to get all three points. We saw the Moroccans were tired and had opportunities.”
Often used from the bench, Katompa admitted he would prefer to start matches but will respect the coach’s decisions.
“I’d like to start games but I can’t decide. I stay at the coach’s disposal and prepare mentally whenever called upon,” the striker added.
