Despite Morocco extending their unbeaten run to 14 matches with friendly wins over Tunisia and Benin, national team coach Walid Regragui continues to face criticism — a situation former Atlas Lions defender Abdeslam Ouaddou believes is both baffling and unjust.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Africafoot, Ouaddou, who earned 58 caps for Morocco and now manages South African club Marumo Gallants, called for calm and unity just seven months before Morocco hosts the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in December.
“We must be the only country in the world where a coach who has gone 14 matches without defeat, including 12 consecutive wins, is being questioned like this,” Ouaddou said. “It’s difficult to understand. The numbers speak for themselves.”
While critics have argued that the style of play under Regragui lacks flair, Ouaddou insists that winning football — even if not always visually spectacular — should be respected, particularly in the evolving and increasingly competitive landscape of international football.
“You can’t win every match by four or five goals,” he continued. “Anyone who follows football closely knows how much African teams have progressed in recent years. Look at the strides made by the Comoros and Cape Verde. The competition is fierce.”
Pointing to Morocco’s emphatic victories earlier in the year — including dominant scorelines against the Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo, and Lesotho — Ouaddou dismissed claims that the team is unconvincing going forward. “In 2024, we’ve had wins like 6-0 and 7-0. That’s not bad at all for a side that supposedly doesn’t attack well.”
Regragui, who guided Morocco to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup just three months after taking over the national side, has pledged to accept responsibility if the team fails to win the AFCON on home soil. Ouaddou, however, believes the current scrutiny only undermines Morocco’s chances of success.
“Is now really the time to create distrust?” he asked. “We should be providing stability and serenity. There’s no logic in destabilising a team that has everything to succeed — a strong squad, modern facilities, supportive leadership, and passionate fans.”
Asked about Regragui’s recent behaviour, Ouaddou acknowledged a certain tension. “Walid usually communicates well — he’s smart, humorous, and handles the media confidently. But I’ve sensed some pressure lately.
When he said he’s the best coach in Morocco’s history, based on the current run of victories, people only picked out that soundbite. That’s the danger. It wasn’t arrogance, it was context — but people don’t always see it that way.”
Calls for Regragui’s dismissal have grown louder on social media, echoing the pressure that led to the removal of Vahid Halilhodžić just months before the World Cup. Ouaddou warns against repeating past mistakes.
“We’ve been here before,” he said. “Halilhodžić was sacked under public pressure. Now some are calling for the same with Regragui. Personally, I think he needs more support — from former players, the federation, and the media. Starting a debate about his job this close to the AFCON is dangerous and could damage the team.”
A meeting between Regragui and Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa is expected soon. While no immediate threat to the coach’s position has been confirmed, the atmosphere surrounding the team remains tense.
“We need calm, not chaos,” Ouaddou concluded. “The team is in good shape, the infrastructure is in place, and the players are motivated. Why create unnecessary pressure when the real challenges — World Cup qualification and hosting AFCON — are just around the corner?”
With Morocco preparing for a pivotal six months, the message from Ouaddou is clear: let the coach work, and let the team focus.
