AFCON 2025: Ismaël Saibari urges sharper starts as Morocco turn focus to Mali test

Morocco’s attention has already shifted to their second Group A fixture at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with Ismaël Saibari calling on the hosts to be more clinical earlier in matches following their opening win over Comoros.

The Atlas Lions began their home tournament with a 2-0 victory, a result that placed them in a strong position at the top of the group.

However, despite the comfortable scoreline, the performance was not without moments of tension, particularly in the first half, and Saibari was candid in his assessment of what can be improved ahead of Friday’s encounter with Mali.

Selected in the starting line-up, the PSV Eindhoven winger experienced a night of mixed emotions.

Morocco dominated possession and territory but failed to make an early breakthrough.

Soufiane Rahimi’s missed penalty in the 11th minute briefly threatened to unsettle the hosts, before further concern followed when captain Romain Saïss was forced off with an injury less than 20 minutes into the contest.

Those setbacks, Saibari insisted, did little to undermine the squad’s belief.

“No, no doubt about it. We know our worth. Unfortunately, we missed the penalty, but it’s not a big deal. That’s football. We have to keep going. We stand with Soutien, because he’s a very good player. Unfortunately, Romain [Saïs] got injured. I don’t know if it’s serious, but if it is, we’ll do everything we can for him.”

Morocco eventually asserted their authority after the break, finding the net twice to secure all three points and ease early tournament pressure.

Yet Saibari believes that against sterner opposition, patience alone may not be enough.

Asked about the key areas to refine before facing Mali, he was clear about the main objective.

“We need to score earlier, perhaps, but it’s not easy. They play for their country, they play with their hearts. But we have to be patient. The opportunities will come. We know our worth. We always create chances, and the fans simply need to be patient with us.”

Mali, known for their physical intensity and tactical discipline, represent a significant step up in difficulty.

An early goal, Saibari suggested, could allow Morocco to control the tempo more effectively and avoid unnecessary tension, especially in a tournament where expectations are high for the host nation.

Beyond tactics and execution, the 23-year-old also reflected on the emotional weight of representing Morocco on home soil.

For Saibari, this tournament carries special meaning, marking his first major international competition after missing out on the 2022 World Cup.

“It started with the national team. I got goosebumps. It was incredible because I hadn’t participated in the World Cup [Qatar 2022], so it was my first competition. It was incredible. I have no words. During the match, every moment, with every attack, every defense, they supported us. They were very strong too, so I’m happy we were able to give them a 2-0 victory.”

As Morocco prepare for their next challenge, the message from within the camp is clear: confidence remains intact, the bond with supporters is strong, but sharper starts could prove decisive as the tournament unfolds.