Cameroon head coach David Pagou paid tribute to the Moroccan public after his side’s elimination by Morocco in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking after the 2-0 defeat on Friday evening at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Pagou highlighted both the progress of his team and the atmosphere created by the home supporters.
Pagou described Cameroon’s current phase as a rebuilding process that continues to move in the right direction.
He expressed satisfaction with the group’s commitment and the emotions they delivered to Cameroonian fans throughout the tournament.
“We are satisfied with this group, which gave many emotions to Cameroonians. We will continue to progress,” Pagou said during the post-match press conference.
The coach urged observers to show understanding toward his players, underlining the limited time he has spent in charge.
Pagou took responsibility for guiding a largely inexperienced squad through a demanding continental competition.
“I have led this team for less than a month. We must show leniency toward these players, as 70% of them played their first AFCON,” he explained.
Pagou also acknowledged Morocco’s collective strength, pointing to the cohesion built over time within the Atlas Lions squad.
He stressed that Morocco benefited from continuity and shared experience, which proved decisive in a tightly contested match.
Cameroon entered the tournament with ambitions beyond the quarter-final stage. Pagou admitted disappointment at the outcome but insisted that the team aimed to go as far as possible, not to settle for an early exit.
He offered a clear assessment of the performance, noting a cautious start followed by improvement after the break.
“The group is improving. The players showed hesitation in the first half, but they responded differently in the second half. That is football,” he said.
Pagou openly recognised the challenges Morocco posed, admitting that the opposition created significant difficulties throughout the encounter.
He also took time to salute the Moroccan supporters, whose constant backing filled the stadium with energy and intensity.
“The Moroccan team caused us many problems,” Pagou added, while praising the home crowd for their unwavering support of the Atlas Lions and wishing Morocco success in the remainder of the competition.
During this AFCON campaign, Cameroon faced several strong opponents, a journey Pagou believes will serve as a valuable learning experience.
He confirmed that the technical staff will conduct a full evaluation once the delegation returns home.
“I take many positive elements from this experience. We will grow and continue to learn,” he concluded.
Morocco will now face the winner of the quarter-final between Nigeria and Algeria for a place in the final.
