Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has played down the significance of past meetings ahead of his side’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarterfinal clash with Cameroon, insisting history will have no bearing on the outcome.
Addressing the media before the game, Regragui acknowledged the legacy attached to the fixture but underlined that the current Moroccan team is driven by new goals and a different identity.
“Cameroon knocked us out in the 1988 semifinal, but the past is the past. Today we are a new Morocco,” he said. Regragui reminded reporters that Morocco beat Cameroon in their most recent meeting in 2018, and as a player himself, he never lost against the Indomitable Lions.
Regragui admitted the pressure on both teams, noting that Cameroon arrive in good form and fully aware of what is at stake. According to him, a loss at this stage could mean a long wait before another opportunity at a major tournament presents itself.
For Morocco, the challenge is equally significant. As hosts of the competition and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America only a few months away, expectations are high.
“We also have something to lose. We are organizing the event at home, and in four months we play the World Cup. There is a big challenge ahead,” he added.
The Moroccan tactician also paid tribute to Cameroon’s leadership and technical bench, describing federation president Samuel Eto’o as a legendary figure and hailing the Indomitable Lions’ coach as one of the continent’s finest. He warned that Cameroon’s quality and motivation make them a formidable opponent.
Emphasizing the need for humility, Regragui said discipline and modesty would be decisive factors.
“This is the Cup of Africa for humility. If we play with modesty, we will achieve a good result. The decision will be made on the pitch,” he concluded.
Historically, Morocco have struggled against Cameroon at AFCON, failing to record a win in the finals, with the head-to-head record standing at two victories for Cameroon and one draw.
Friday’s quarterfinal at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff, offers the Atlas Lions a chance to rewrite that record and keep their dream of lifting the AFCON trophy alive.
