Morocco coach Walid Regragui has called on his players to remain calm and focused as they prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.
The Atlas Lions will face the West African side tonight at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with kick-off set for 19:00 GMT.
In his pre-match press conference, Regragui admitted that the host nation will naturally feel the weight of expectation.
“Morocco is the team under pressure. It is normal because we are playing at home,” he said.
The coach stressed that emotional control will be crucial, suggesting the final could be decided by how well his squad handles the occasion.
“The key factor for us is managing emotions. My only concern is that we don’t play freely, that we place too much pressure on ourselves and begin to think negatively.
“This is a football match, a final — you have to play it and enjoy it,” he added.
Regragui’s comments underline the challenge facing Morocco as they seek to secure the title in front of their home fans.
