CAN 2008: ‘Our main goal is to negotiate the first round well’, Henri Michel

Fez, Jan. 9 – “Our main goal is to well negotiate the first round” of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations, billed for January 20 through February 10 in Ghana, technical manager of the Moroccan squad, Henri Michel, said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing, the French coach said the national squad should kick off the tournament without stumbles, pointing out that “wining the first games is of particular importance.”

Henri Michel said his men are able to achieve good results thanks to their experience and physical and technical capacities, underlining that they are aware of their task and are technically and tactically prepared to play the CAN, which will bring together the best teams in Africa.

To achieve this goal, he said, the squad should concentrate during the two friendly games scheduled on January 12 in Fez and January 16 in Rabat against Zambia and Angola, stressing that these friendlies are a “good test” for 2008 Ghana.

In Ghana 2008, Morocco will play in Group A besides the host country Ghana, Guinea and Namibia.

It is Morocco’s 13th appearance in the finals. The Atlas Lions were the first to qualify for the 26th Africa Cup of Nations after finishing winners of Group 12 unbeaten.

Early this month, Henri Michel named the 23 players that will play the forthcoming African championship. The line-up is mainly composed of the names that played the 2004 CAN in Tunisia, when Morocco lost the final game against the host country Tunisia.

Morocco is considered one of the great underachievers of the African Nations Cup, though they clinched this African cup in 1976 in Ethiopia. At the last edition of the biennial competition, the Atlas Lions failed not only to win a match but also failed to score.
(Source:MAP)