Egypt legend Mohamed Aboutrika has praised Morocco’s qualification to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, describing the hosts’ achievement as thoroughly deserved.
Speaking to beIN SPORTS after the semi-final, the former Pharaohs star congratulated the Atlas Lions for their performance and the mentality they showed on the night.
“Congratulations to the Moroccan national team. It was a well-deserved qualification, honestly. The players made a great effort, and I would like to commend the high spirit within the team,” Aboutrika said.
He noted that Morocco are now just one step away from fulfilling a long-awaited ambition, having ended a 50-year wait to reach the AFCON final.
“Only one step remains to the dream, and today, after a 50-year absence, the Moroccan national team reaches the final of the tournament on its home ground, and with every match this dream grows bigger,” he added.
Aboutrika also singled out goalkeeper Yassine Bounou for special praise, naming him his standout performer of the match.
“The Moroccan national team faced a tough opponent today, and the best player in the match for me is Yassine Bounou, a goalkeeper from a great school. What he presented today, especially his strange save of the penalty kick, confirms that winning championships requires a goalkeeper with a real leadership personality, because when you shoot a penalty kick in front of him, you have to think a thousand times about him,” he said.
He concluded by hailing the overall quality of the contest.
“On a technical level, this match is worthy of African football, as we saw two teams at the highest technical and physical level. Congratulations again to Morocco,” Aboutrika added.
