2019 AFCON: Morocco’s Coach Renard Laments Exit

• As Benin Republic create Last 16 upset

The Coach of Moroccan National Football team, Herve Renard is taking responsibility for the country’s inglorious exit from the on-going Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.  

Renard, who won AFCON with Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire in 2012 and 2015 respectively, is not singling out any of his player for blame following their shocking ouster in the Round of 16 by Benin Republic on Friday.

“I am responsible for this defeat. I will like to protect my players and I won’t say anything against them even though they did not perform well. I think all the players did their best and I cannot blame them”, he said

The 1976 champions had their hopes of lifting a second continental title dashed by The Squirrels of Benin, who ran out 4-1 winners on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

With the first-half ending on a barren note, Moise Adilehou broke the deadlock for Béninoise at Al-Salam Stadium before Youssef En-Nesyri levelled scores for Morocco in the th75 minute.

Besides playing the last 23 minutes of the game with a numerical advantage after Benin’s Khaled Adenon was sent off, the North African Africans also missed a penalty on the stroke of full-time through Hakim Ziyech.

Sharing his thoughts on the Atlas Lions’ disappointing exit from the continental fiesta at the post-match press conference, Renard said; “I will like to congratulate Benin for their win. They played according to a specific strategy and it worked.”

According to the Atlas Lions’ boss; “We did not find any solutions. We could have won but we failed. We had high expectations but still had difficulties against those who adopted a defensive style.

“I will like to thank all the fans who came to Egypt to support their team and I feel embarrassed for them.

“I have been in Morocco for about three and a half years, but now, we have to go home and think about the future. I thank the fans for their support since the first day”, Renard said

Since their 4-0 semi-final victory over Mali in the 2004 tournament, the Moroccans have not won a knockout stage game at AFCON. – With agency reports