Soufian Charraoui says Morocco’s hunger has not faded as the defending champions prepare for another TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON final on home soil.
The Netherlands-based pivot scored twice in the Atlas Lions’ 6-0 semi-final win over Egypt at the Salle Moulay Abdellah, sending Hicham Dguig’s side to a fourth consecutive final.
After the match, he told CAFOnline that staying on top is harder than getting there.
We work very hard to get here. It’s difficult to become good, but more difficult to stay good, so we train a lot and the coach talks with us a lot.
He credited the squad’s unity and backing at home.
We have the best president in the world, and he helps us a lot. We’re very happy with our King, who helps us too.
We fight for each other, we die for each other. We have the best fans in the world, and we can’t let them down.
Charraoui said Morocco’s approach did not change against Egypt.
Every match we go all out. Egypt is a very good team, but we train hard and prepare too, and the coach helps us a lot. They don’t just look strong, they are strong.
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s final against Angola, he said the mindset remains the same.
Our mindset is to win the cup here, and we’ll do everything to prepare for the final. It’s not an easy match, but we hope to win, inshallah.
Charraoui also revealed he nearly missed the tournament after a foot problem.
I wasn’t in good shape. I had a problem with my foot for three months. I was preparing at the King’s complex and wasn’t on the list at first, but a day before the tournament I got the green light and was added.
I’m very thankful to the medical staff and the coach for those four days. I’m back now and feel very good and confident. I can play and fight for my country.
Hosts Morocco will face Angola in the final on Wednesday, 21 October at 20:00 local time as they seek to retain their title on home soil. Egypt will face Algeria in the third-place match at 17:00.
