"We didn't deserve to win," says Morocco coach

Lagos (Nigeria), 26^th January 2000

Morocco's French coach Henri Michel admitted on Wednesday that his side were fortunate to beat Congo 1-0 in their African Nations' Cup match.

"Congo put up a better performance than us because we underrated them and failed to get into our usual stride," said Michel.

"Hadji, for instance, didn't play well because of the humid weather and not the power failure."

The group D game on Tuesday -- won by substitute Salaheddine Bassir's 85th minute goal -- was held up for 15 minutes because of a floodlights failure.

"The power failure wasn't a problem at all for us. You can say it affected both sides," said Michel.

Mustapha Hadji, the 1998 African Player of the Year, agreed he was largely anonymous in the game.

"The weather was too hot for me and the others because we play regularly in Europe where it's cold," he said.

"But I promise it'll be different against Tunisia and we'll win that match well."

Morocco, one of the tournament favourites, play Tunisia, beaten 4-2 by Nigeria in the group's opening game, on Saturday.

"I think Tunisia will play like wounded lions having lost to Nigeria," said Michel. "But we'll be prepared for them. We hope to play superbly..."

GRi