Following a challenging match that saw Morocco exit the competition, Ouahbi stated that he hopes his players remain frustrated, as this emotional response reflects their commitment to the project and their ambition to compete at the highest levels of international football.
The manager’s comments follow a contentious encounter where officiating decisions became a focal point of post-match discussions. Ouahbi expressed clear dissatisfaction regarding the refereeing during the loss, specifically questioning the validity of the goal that ultimately tilted the result in favor of the French side. “I don’t know why they didn’t disallow the goal,” Ouahbi remarked, highlighting his frustration with the officiating standards during the critical stages of the game.
Maintaining the Long-Term Vision for Moroccan Football
Despite the sting of the loss, Ouahbi has remained firm in his commitment to the long-term project currently underway within the Moroccan football federation. He acknowledged the quality of the French team, noting that “France is very good, one has to accept it,” while simultaneously rejecting the notion that this specific defeat should derail the broader goals of his coaching staff and the players.
The manager emphasized that the defeat will not "break" the progress made by the team. Instead, he views the experience as a vital learning opportunity.
Reflecting on Refereeing and Tactical Execution
While he questioned the referee's decision-making, he balanced his critique by admitting that, overall, the French team demonstrated the technical proficiency required to secure the victory.
For the players, the immediate aftermath of such a tournament exit is often difficult, but the coaching staff is prioritizing mental resilience.