"Like a final" - Morocco coach Walid Regragui ahead of AFCON 2025 semi-final against Nigeria

On the eve of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Nigeria, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui struck a calm and composed tone at his press conference on Tuesday (13 January).

“It’s been a long time,” Regragui said. “We’re happy to put Morocco back in the final four of the continent, against one of the best teams in the competition.”

The Morocco coach did not hide his sense of pride as the hosts prepared for a semi-final at home, framing the occasion as both a sporting and continental moment.

For Regragui, the latter stages of the tournament represent an opportunity to showcase the strength of African football.

“For me, this is the most competitive AFCON,” he said. “There are good stadiums, good players, and good conditions. In the final four, you have [Mohamed] Salah, [Achraf] Hakimi, [Ademola] Lookman, Osimhen, and [Sadio] Mané. All of them have won the African Player of the Year award. These are the best players the continent has produced in recent years.”

Regragui also highlighted the pedigree of the remaining teams, pointing to Nigeria’s extensive history in the competition, Egypt’s consistency at the finals, and Senegal’s recent success.

"Nigeria have reached the semi-finals 17 times. Egypt are always there. Senegal have been one of the strongest teams in recent years,” he said. “The stadiums will be full.”

Walid Regragui: "Every match has its own truth"

Regragui, who led Morocco to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, is also relying on his players to validate the work carried out over the past two years, despite early scepticism from some observers about the level of performance shown by the Atlas Lions at the start of the tournament.

“The performance against Cameroon [in the quarter-final] reassured a lot of people, both in terms of athletic level and desire,” Regragui said, adding that he had never doubted his team, and that group-stage matches rarely provide definitive answers.

“It might look like we are building momentum, but in reality, we are mainly gaining experience in this type of tournament,” he explained.

Since taking charge of Morocco in 2022, Regragui has suffered just four defeats, but he remains cautious in his approach.

“Every match has its own truth,” he said. “A game against Cameroon forces you to be at your best and to raise your standards. That is how we have been working for the past two years.”

"The four best teams on the continent"

Morocco will be tested further against a Nigeria side that has often proved a difficult opponent, led by forwards Victor Osimhen, who has four goals in this tournament and Ademola Lookman, who has three goals and four assists

“This is their 17th semi-final, which shows their strength and consistency,” Regragui said. “It will be a big match, like a final. Nigeria have moved on from their World Cup elimination and will want to cause an upset here. They have players like Osimhen, [Alex] Iwobi and Lookman, and they also have great squad depth. They can even change their system if they want.”

Nigeria’s physical approach is another factor Morocco are preparing for.

“It will be up to us to be present in the tackles and the duels,” Regragui added. “We must understand that we cannot afford to relax like we did against Tanzania or Cameroon, because we will be punished. An AFCON semi-final forces you to raise your level. We must not allow Nigeria to breathe.”

While Morocco are not expecting an easy task, Regragui also suggested the challenge will run both ways.

“They haven’t faced a team like ours yet either, so it will be a good test for both of us,” he said.

The stage is set for a semi-final that promises intensity and uncertainty in equal measure.

“The four best teams on the continent right now are in the semi-finals,” Regragui concluded. “That’s good for the spectacle and for African football. We hope to live up to expectations and reach the final.”

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