The Albany Gazette - Case closed for Morocco despite Senegal Afcon outrage

Although the Atlas Lions lost 1-0 in the January final, the Confederation of African Football awarded them a 3-0 victory last week because of several Senegal players leaving the pitch in protest at the award of a penalty.

Morocco drew 1-1 against Ecuador on Friday in a friendly in Madrid, in their first match since the final and the controversial decision to punish Senegal.

It was new coach Mohamed Ouahbi's first game at the helm, just three months out from the 2026 World Cup.

After becoming the first African side to reach the final four in Qatar in 2022, expectations are high for Morocco and they are looking to the future, despite Senegal's outrage.

"We're focussed on what's to come and not getting into that (topic)," Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou told reporters.

"The answer from us (about whether the decision was fair) would be what our federation said and that's all... we're looking forwards."

Thousands of Morocco fans, many draped in their country's flag and tooting vuvuzelas, are convinced justice was served.

"If someone says there are regulations, you have to follow them," said Yassine El Aouak, 35, a Morocco supporter who travelled to the game from Italy.

"I think we will bring the trophy home (eventually) -- we know that we deserve it."

- 'One more star' -

Before being awarded victory against Senegal, Morocco had won the Africa Cup of Nations only once, in 1976.

"The rules are the rules... they are so clear, you go outside the pitch without any reason, you lose 3-0," said another Morocco supporter Taha El Hadiguy, 22.

"It's very different to winning on the night of the final, to win two months later, but a win is a win. We have one more star on our shirt."

Like the players, Moroccan media was more concerned with the upcoming World Cup and Ouahbi's tactical approach than whether Senegal are right to feel aggrieved.

Ecuador's coach Sebastian Beccacece said his were satisfied with a draw against the "African champions".

Ouahbi's team are now technically unbeaten in 25 matches, despite falling 1-0 on a dramatic night in Rabat against Senegal in the Afcon final.

They lacked precision in attack against Ecuador but Ouahbi, who led Moroccan youngsters to Under-20 World Cup glory last year, highlighted the strength of his team.

"I don't talk in terms of weaknesses. They're not weaknesses. We are a top-level team -- the Ecuadorian coach reminded us of that," Ouhabi told reporters.

"If you are a top-level team, ranked eighth in the world and World Cup semi-finalists, you don't have weaknesses.

"You only have strengths, and then any qualities we're missing, areas where we're not performing, we have to make up for collectively."

Morocco will face record five-time World Cup winners Brazil in their first game at the tournament this summer on June 13, one of the most intriguing match-ups of the group phase.

Before then the Moroccan Federation's lawyers may have to defend their status as African champions against Senegal's case, but Ouahbi and his players are only looking forwards to the summer, when they have a chance to win another trophy, this time on the pitch.

(A.Johnson--TAG)