The national November 24 in Casablanca.
On the preparation of the national selection for this competition, organized under the aegis of Rugby Africa (formerly the African Rugby Confederation) and in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports as well as the City Council from Casablanca, the president of the FRMR, Hicham Oubajja assured at the microphone of the MAP that the national XV is ready to take up the challenge despite the tough competition.
And to add that the national rugby players are determined to go far in the competition, especially since Morocco is taking part with an almost entirely renewed team, up to 90%.
He specifies that the national selection, which includes local players and others playing in the French championship, aims to win its ticket for the final phase of the qualifiers for the African Rugby Cup, scheduled for 2025 in Uganda, with the Rugby Cup. world as the ultimate goal.
Mr. Oubajja did not fail to note that the Royal Moroccan Rugby Federation is sparing no effort to promote the great return of the national XV, once one of the most feared teams in Africa.
For his part, the national coach, Kouider Kassimi, affirmed, during a press conference in Benslimane, that the first match between Morocco and Botswana will be decisive, adding that the players of the national selection have high morale. fixed and that they are determined to dominate group B which also includes Madagascar and Cameroon.
On the preparation of his protégés, he said he was satisfied with the conditions of the training which took place in the country and in France, believing that the four years during which the national XV was at a standstill are now only a distant memory. .
And to indicate that the average age of national rugby players, some of whom have proven experience, is only 22 years old.
The national XV will have to win in two knockout matches, in order to advance to the next round. The Moroccan rugby players will first face Botswana and, in the event of victory, they will face the winner of the match between Madagascar and Cameroon.
The Group B competition, which coincides with the festivities marking the celebration of the anniversaries of the Green March and Independence, will be played in Casablanca. The Group A matches take place in parallel in Tunisia, with in addition to the host country, the participation of Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia.
The winner of Group A will face the winner of Group B, in a play-off match, giving access to the final phase of the African Cup, a decisive step in qualifying for the 2027 World Cup.
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