Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has said it is important for the team to build on their remarkable campaign at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Atlas Lions made history in Qatar as the first African country to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
Morocco Ready To Make History Again
“The quality of the players is still there,” the experienced goalkeeper Bounou told FIFA.
“The right mindset will also be there because it’s a World Cup, and every player dreams of playing in it. For some, this might be the last one. For others, it will be their first time.”
Bounou on Facing Brazil
The North Africans have been drawn in Group C with the tournament’s most successful side, Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s side will face Brazil in their opening fixture in New Jersey next week.
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Bounou is keeping his feet firmly on the ground ahead of the highly anticipated fixture.
“Let’s be honest: there are teams that are bigger favourites than us. We, for our part, have been on this path of progress since 2022, so, let’s try to carry that on. After that, there’s no telling how far we might go,” added the former Sevilla shot stopper.
More Respect For Atlas Lions
The Atlas Lions were 22nd in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking when they set off for Qatar.
They are currently sitting eighth, positioned behind Brazil and the Netherlands, and just ahead of Belgium and Germany, who are hot on their heels.
The North Africans will certainly notice a change in their opponents’ attitude when they come up against them – something that Bounou is all too aware of.
“We feel that we’re still respected, and that must give us confidence,” he insisted. “I think there’s a sense of belief that we perhaps didn’t feel before, as an African team,” added Bounou.
