Morocco head coach Walid Regragui hailed his team’s 2-0 quarter-final triumph over Cameroon as “historic,” but cautioned that the Atlas Lions now face an even more critical stage in their pursuit of a second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
Speaking at Friday’s post-match press conference at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Regragui reflected on Morocco’s return to the AFCON semi-finals after a 22-year absence.
“It has been 22 years since Morocco last reached this stage,” he said. “The win was well deserved, but our focus must remain sharp for the challenges ahead.”
Morocco set the tone early, with Brahim Diaz opening the scoring in the 26th minute before Ismail Saibari sealed the victory with a 74th-minute strike. Regragui praised Cameroon for their resilience, noting that the match demanded his team’s best.
“Cameroon pushed us to our limits,” he said. “They are a strong team and will continue to be a force in African football.”
The coach also emphasized the pivotal role of Moroccan fans, calling their support “decisive.” “The crowd was our strength. We played with 12 players,” Regragui said. “Our first half was our best since the 2022 World Cup. The second half was tighter, as Cameroon tried to mount a comeback.”
Regragui stressed that while Morocco has proven its status as a top team, the journey is far from over. “We are two matches from the title, but we have achieved nothing yet,” he said. “Every game matters. We want to make history.”
Looking ahead, Morocco will face the winner of the quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria. Regragui dismissed any preference. “If it’s Algeria, it will be a historic derby. If it’s Nigeria, it’s a different style of football. Either way, we are ready.”
Man of the Match Ismail Saibari described the encounter as challenging but praised his team’s preparation and composure. “It was a strong match, but we were well prepared and played a great game,” he said. “Defensively, we were solid, and we capitalized on our opportunities.”
Saibari added that the squad is fully focused on the semi-final and determined to reach the final. “Now, all our energy goes into the semi-final. We will work hard to make it to the final.”
