Tanzania head coach Adel Amrouche has come under fire after his comments reportedly accusing Morocco of off-field manipulation.
The two sides are set to square off in a Group opener on Wednesday, with both managers involved in a fiery war of words during the build up to the encounter.
The Algerian tactician is said to have levelled allegations against Morocco, claiming that African football is being “manipulated" by Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF), according to Morocco World News.
“Currently, the FRMF is a confirmed power in the African football world, in the last match against Morocco, they forced us to play in the evening when we wanted to play in the early afternoon,” he said on an Algerian TV channel, per the Moroccan outlet.
He is also said to have added that the Atlas Lions “manages and determines everything in African football.”
The Moroccan supporters hit back at Amrouche's comments, with some claiming his comments were "unacceptable" and "shameful".
Opposing manager Walid Regragui, meanwhile, dismissed the allegations during his pre-match press conference, emphasising his desire to focus on what happens on the pitch and leaving off-field matter to the side's federation and its officials.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalist also added that his side must respect their next AFCON opponents.
“Those who think that the match is easy or who give the opponent an easy time are wrong. We must respect the Tanzanian national team and achieve the victory that will make us enter the competition," he said per SNRT News.
However, in his pre-match conference, Amrouche reportedly backtracked on his comments, saying that “The Moroccan team speaks for itself; it is one of the best teams in the world.”
Morocco and Tanzania will battle for a place in the knockout stages alongside Group F competitors DR Congo and Zambia.
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