Master.
20-01-2006, 10:00
Morocco's Marouane Chamakh has admitted to Eurosport anything less than a Nations Cup semi-final spot would be a failure. The Bordeaux star was a teenager in the side that lost the 2004 final to hosts Tunisia, and after missing out on the World Cup, Chamakh says success must come in Egypt.
"We lost the qualification for the World Cup on the last day and we want to have a good African Nations Cup to refind our smiles," admitted the 21-year-old, who was deprived a chance to shine in Germany by Tunisia after a final-day winner-takes-all showdown ended in a draw which saw the Tunisians squeeze through by a single point.
"We have progressed a little bit as in 2004 we had a very young squad, but we had a very good tournament.
"Now, we're more experienced, we've gained in confidence and we're more together as a team. We have to reach the semi-finals at least, as I don't see why we would be happy if we didn't get at least that far."
But emulating their feat of two years ago promises to be anything but straightforward.
'GROUP OF DEATH'
Drawn against hosts Egypt and the fearsome Ivory Coast, with unknown quantity Libya making up a ferociously competitive Group A, Chamakh is aware of the scale of the task.
"Everyone is talking about it as a Group of Death," he admitted. "There are three big teams for two places and it's going to be very difficult.
"We've got two big teams in Egypt, who are playing at home, and the Ivory Coast which is a very, very good team. But I have a little bit of confidence as we've got great team spirit."
Moroccan off-pitch preparations for the tournament were disrupted by the rapid hiring and firing of former Japan coach Philippe Troussier just a handful of weeks before the opening encounter with Ivory Coast in Cairo.
Mohammed Fakhir has now stepped into the breach left by Troussier's departure, but Chamakh insists the change of coach has done little harm to the squad.
"We only had a week working with [Troussier]. We don't really understand his decision, but we accept it. We want to do something for us and the people that believe in us and Morocco."
"We lost the qualification for the World Cup on the last day and we want to have a good African Nations Cup to refind our smiles," admitted the 21-year-old, who was deprived a chance to shine in Germany by Tunisia after a final-day winner-takes-all showdown ended in a draw which saw the Tunisians squeeze through by a single point.
"We have progressed a little bit as in 2004 we had a very young squad, but we had a very good tournament.
"Now, we're more experienced, we've gained in confidence and we're more together as a team. We have to reach the semi-finals at least, as I don't see why we would be happy if we didn't get at least that far."
But emulating their feat of two years ago promises to be anything but straightforward.
'GROUP OF DEATH'
Drawn against hosts Egypt and the fearsome Ivory Coast, with unknown quantity Libya making up a ferociously competitive Group A, Chamakh is aware of the scale of the task.
"Everyone is talking about it as a Group of Death," he admitted. "There are three big teams for two places and it's going to be very difficult.
"We've got two big teams in Egypt, who are playing at home, and the Ivory Coast which is a very, very good team. But I have a little bit of confidence as we've got great team spirit."
Moroccan off-pitch preparations for the tournament were disrupted by the rapid hiring and firing of former Japan coach Philippe Troussier just a handful of weeks before the opening encounter with Ivory Coast in Cairo.
Mohammed Fakhir has now stepped into the breach left by Troussier's departure, but Chamakh insists the change of coach has done little harm to the squad.
"We only had a week working with [Troussier]. We don't really understand his decision, but we accept it. We want to do something for us and the people that believe in us and Morocco."