Rabat – Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan national football team, chose restraint over triumphalism on Wednesday night after Morocco secured qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final, overcoming Nigeria on penalties following a scoreless semifinal at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex.
“I dedicate this victory to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God grant him recovery, for his vision and his encouragement,” Regragui said at the press conference.
“After the match against Mali, His Majesty sent us a very touching message. It helped the players a lot and strengthened their mentality.”
Facing a Nigerian side known for its power, stamina, and attacking numbers, Regragui acknowledged the physical demands of the encounter but also pointed to Morocco’s defensive control.
“It is an athletic team that runs a lot,” he said. “But they shot twice, with only one on target. We have spoken about defense for three years. You know me, we have done nothing yet. We must recover quickly.”
Regragui commended the atmosphere inside the stadium, crediting supporters for their role in the outcome. “Congratulations to the fans. They carried us,” he said.
‘It was hard, I will not lie’
On the tactical level, the coach explained how Morocco approached the tournament’s most prolific attack. “We closed the angles, the positioning, the transitions,” he stated.
“It was hard, I will not lie.” Yet Regragui insisted personal validation never entered his thinking.
“What interests me is self-esteem. Some may see that as arrogance. I wait for nothing from anyone. No one can erase what I did before. The most important thing is that Morocco is in the final.”
Attention now shifts to recovery ahead of Sunday’s decisive match. “What matters tonight is celebration, but preparation for Sunday starts tomorrow,” Regragui said.
“Credit goes to the medical staff, they never stop. Today this victory belongs to everyone. Recovery must make us ready, mentally and physically.”
‘We have grit and the desire to play for the jersey’
Reflecting on the group’s mentality, Regragui emphasized commitment to the shirt. “We faced a very solid team,” he said. “We still have room to improve. We have grit and the desire to play for the jersey. That has always been my objective.”
The penalty shootout prompted a personal admission from the coach. “I want to apologize to Hamza Igamane because I sent him into the fire,” he said.
“En Nesyri stepped forward on his own. He never complained. He received a lot of criticism, a bit like me for a long time. I do not understand how Moroccan supporters can criticize him after his statistics and the goals he scored.”
Regragui described the squad as a united group. “This is a good team that loves each other and loves the country,” he added. “We must change our DNA. We must get used to the semifinals. The more consistent we are, the more titles we can win.”
He also reserved praise for midfielder Neil El Aynaoui. “Neil is a fantastic player,” Regragui said.
“He arrived with humility and found his place quickly. He will not stop here. He is a very important piece. Like father, like son.”
With yesterday’s solid display against Nigeria, Morocco impressively sealed its ticket back to a continental final for the first time in 22 years. The last time the Atlas Lions reached this stage was at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia, where they fell 2-1 to the host nation.
Today, the story resumes on home soil, and the stakes could not be higher. As hosts, Morocco faces the weight of expectation and the pressure that comes with being simultaneously the host nation, the pre-tournament favorites, and Africa’s best team in the FIFA rankings.
Looking ahead to the final against Senegal on January 18 in Rabat, Regragui described the matchup as historic. “It is a great final between the best African teams,” he said.
“They are a big team with a good coach and great people. It will be a fantastic final for AFCON. We have only three days to recover, so it will be fifty-fifty. This is the first time we face them in a final, and we will make history, God willing.”
