Diaz Sparks, Rekraki Defended: Morocco Ready to Confront Tanzania in AFCON Knockouts
4 January 2026
Key moments and stance
Khalid Fohami, head coach of Moghreb Tetouan, defended Walid Rekraki, the Morocco boss, amid a wave of criticism that hit him during the group phase of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco finished on top of Group A and will face Tanzania in the round of 16 this Sunday. The matchup marks a new chapter as the North African side seeks to translate early momentum into a deep run in the tournament.
Fohami told sports.lematin that his support for Rekraki is total and that the criticism going beyond sport has been overly harsh, crossing into personal territory.
Diaz’s form has been central, with the forward scoring in every group game and proving pivotal in Morocco’s attacking system thanks to the balance between his instincts and the coaching staff’s workload planning.
The article highlights how the staff managed Diaz’s minutes to preserve a high tempo across matches, enabling him to remain impactful as the group phase progressed.
Hakimi’s return to competitive action is noted as a major boost, with the Paris Saint-Germain star bringing experience and quality that are valuable in the knockout rounds.
Regarding the Tanzania clash, Fohami maintains that Morocco remains the favorite but cautions against underestimating a side reaching this stage for the first time, underscoring that knockouts demand the highest concentration and consistency to pursue a second African title.
Overall, Fohami’s remarks emphasize the importance of tactical decisions, Diaz’s influential role, and Morocco’s readiness to contend with the pressure of decisive matches—an equilibrium that could define their campaign as it moves from group play to knockout theatre.
Diaz’s consistent scoring and assist potential, coupled with disciplined team play, are cited as the backbone of the current momentum ahead of the Tanzania game.
Punchline 1: If confidence were a shot on goal, Morocco just fired a laser from the touchline—and Diaz caught the rebound with style.
Punchline 2: They say football is a game of inches; with Diaz in form, Morocco is chasing yards of glory—and maybe a better press desk while they’re at it.
