“We were really scared”

The Atlas Lions of Morocco were in Guinea’s capital city, Conakry, for their World Cup qualifying match against Guinea when President Alpha Conde’s government was dissolved in a coup on Sunday.

The Moroccan squad was staying in a hotel close to the presidential palace in Conakry, where they were able to hear the lengthy gunfire.

Nayed Aguerd says he and his team-mates were “really scared” as they heard soldiers launching a gun assault near their hotel.

“We underwent very difficult moments that we had never imagined we would experience,” 25-year-old Aguerd told the official website of the Moroccan FA.

“We were really scared but security at the hotel was tight. I thank the King for everything,” the defender added.

According to reports, King Mohammed VI of Morocco played a vital role in ensuring the safe release of the Moroccan delegation from Guinea.

“We left the country thanks to the King, whom I want to thank on behalf of the whole team,” coach Vahid Halilhodzic told the FMRF.

Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi confirmed the tension and revealed that PSG were worried about him and other members of the squad.

“The situation was really hard,” Hakimi told reporters. “Players were scared as we heard gunshots outside. My club PSG were anxious about me and the other players, asking me what was happening in a bid to find a way to help us. We had never seen this before.”

Before nightfall, the Moroccans finally got the all-clear from their embassy to leave their hotel and make the trip to the international airport.

Despite Guinea’s borders being closed that day, the plane carrying both the Moroccans and match officials was given special dispensation to leave.