Algeria U-17 head coach, Arezki Remmane has apologised after his team crashed out of the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-0 defeat by neighbours Morocco on Wednesday.
The Fennecs were expected to have a strong outing as the tournament hosts but saw their journey come to an end as Zakaria Ouazane’s brace) and Adam Chakir found the back of the net.
The defeat ended Algeria’s hopes of reaching the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and Remmane took responsibility for the loss.
“I am sorry to the public because we would have loved to make them happy with a good result and stay in the competition,” Remmane said after the match. “We played the best we could and everyone did their part to get a good result, but fate did not allow us. I take whole responsibility for this result because the players gave their all.
“I am not someone who makes excuses for myself. This is a learning experience and we will take the lessons and move forward. If we can’t learn from this, then it is impossible to improve.”
However, Remmane praised the spirit of his young players and he believes they will get stronger.
He continued: “We started very well and were organized and Morocco scored at a time when we were controlling the game very well. We had some individual mistakes and at this level it is unforgivable.
“When you make a mistake, you pay for it. This is how football is. The players are young and they will learn. I will not question their desire and fighting spirit because they did their best.”
Quarter-finals: Day 1️⃣ ✅
Which result impressed you the most? ???? #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/SupG7Hxpz2
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 ???? (@CAF_Online) May 10, 2023
Senegal joined Morocco joined in the semi-finals after their 5-0 bashing in Algiers also on Wednesday.
