Libya head coach Corentin Martins has expressed his regrets following the Mediterranean Knights’ group-stage exit from the 2022 African Nations Championship.
The 2014 champions defeated Ethiopia 3-1 on Saturday, but the victory was not enough for them to pull through as they lost their first two matches against Algeria and Mozambique which sealed their disappointing fate.
Martins cited a few details around lack of attention as a factor in their first two Group A results.
“We have a lot of regrets. Especially in the game against Algeria and Mozambique,” Martins said on the CAF website.
“Little details made the difference in those games. It was all about the image of our country this evening. I always tell my players to stand up to show character.”
Martins stated that the final game against Ethiopia still had pressure and was pleased his players did the needful to bow out of the tournament with pride.
“It [Ethiopia match] wasn’t without pressure as some think. We had the same sensation like in the other games, but the players were more efficient,” the Frenchman said.
Libya’s group stage exit makes it back-to-back occurrences. It is also the third time overall they have failed to advance past the preliminary round after the maiden outing in the Ivory Coast back in 2009.
