Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has opened up about the intense scrutiny he faced on the road to the Africa Cup of Nations final, admitting the journey has been far from smooth.
Speaking after guiding the Atlas Lions into the showpiece match, Regragui revealed that the criticism directed at him went beyond the usual pressures of the job.
“It wasn’t just normal criticism,” he said. “It felt like an unfair campaign against me. But that’s football, and I accepted it.”
The Moroccan tactician credited his players for standing firmly by him during the difficult spell, insisting their response was delivered where it mattered most.
“The group protected me a lot. The players love their coach. I told them the best way to answer was on the pitch, and they did exactly that,” he noted.
Regragui also highlighted the unique pressure that comes with managing the national team, where expectations are relentless.
“In Morocco, any defeat or even a draw is considered a disaster. That’s the reality. We know it and we live with it,” he explained.
Despite the noise, the coach said the team remained focused and united, driven by the desire to reward their supporters.
“We stayed concentrated. In the end, we are happy because this is for the fans. About 90 percent of the people support this team and want to see it succeed. That makes me very proud,” he added.
Morocco will now face Senegal in the AFCON 2026 final on Sunday at 19:00 GMT. It will be the Atlas Lions’ first appearance in the final in 22 years, since 2004, as they chase a first continental title in half a century.
As he looks ahead to a potentially historic night, Regragui was keen to put Morocco’s recent success into perspective.
“We are enjoying the fruits of this golden era, but we must not forget where we started,” he said.
