Despite his disappointment after losing the final, Morocco Olympic team coach Peter Tim Verbeek has hailed his Gabon defeaters for their outstanding performances in the U-23 African Championship.

Despite already qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games, the dream of Moroccan hosts to win the African tournament title vanished after the 2-1 defeat against Gabon on Saturday.

“I am very sad for the defeat. We tried to get a positive result but Gabon deserved to win since they delivered a good performance,” Verbeek said after the match.

Morocco reached the African Championship final after producing a formidable attacking display to outclass Egypt 3-2 in the semi-final on Wednesday. Tim Verbeek hopes his team will compensate losing the title at home when they play next year in London.

“I hope we will prove our worth in next year’s Olympics, where we will be determined to clinch a medal,” he added.

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