2023-09-09 19:28:02
RFI: Can you tell us regarding the night you experienced in Marrakech?
Tom Saintfiet: We did very good preparation the first days. We arrived here on Monday, yesterday night at 11 p.m. local time, I was in my bed and it was a big shock. At first I thought there was someone knocking on my door. And then, as if there was a plane in the hotel, which is very close to the airport. It was really a shock, because it’s not something normal, it’s very aggressive. I feel like it’s taking a long time, but it’s only 30 seconds. Afterwards, I ran outside to the pool. All the players, staff members, and also other tourists were there. We slept next to the swimming pool.
This must have disrupted your preparation, how did you experience it? ?
We stayed outside all night. We mightn’t go into the hotel because it was still dangerous, we didn’t sleep much. We’re still at the same hotel and we have to prepare for our match tomorrow. All my players, all my staff were shocked during the night. And it’s very serious for everyone who lives here. The deaths, the families, it’s a disaster.
And among your players, what is the dominant feeling?
At the moment there is not a good feeling. There are a lot of players who want to come home. The majority don’t want to play the match, that’s clear. It’s like being in a horror movie, you don’t think regarding football. It’s a very, very important match for us. Because we need a victory or a draw to qualify for the second CAN. And it’s not a normal preparation, there aren’t many players who think regarding football.
Did you think the match would be canceled or postponed?
Yes, for me this is the only correct decision (postpone the meeting). We are in Marrakech, there are more than 1,000 people dead and we are talking regarding football, regarding playing a match that we might play in October. We can qualify in October, it’s the same thing for Congo-Brazzaville. For me, it’s not normal to play this match out of respect for the dead, for all the families, the people who work in the police, the hospitals… Focusing on a football match is not Good timing, I think. The decision not to play the match is the best. But we are not in control. All of this is up to CAF to decide. We have to play on Sunday and we will do everything to qualify. But it’s very difficult.
Have you been afraid of followingshocks since Friday night? ?
We have no control over an earthquake. It was not planned for Friday evening. For us, the best decision is to return home to our families. We are humans with families. But when CAF decides that we must play, we will play.
And you, as a coach, how does this situation change your approach to the match?
This is not a normal match. The players’ faces say it all. They are not focused on football, they do not have their minds on the game. We are going to do everything this Saturday evening at the last training session and this Sunday in match preparation to create a feeling of concentration. My players are athletes, but also humans, I have to respect that.
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