Morocco midfielder Eliesse Ben Seghir has insisted that the entire squad remains firmly behind head coach Walid Regragui despite the criticism directed at him during the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Regragui came under scrutiny following Morocco’s second group match against Mali, which ended in a 1-1 draw and sparked debate over the team’s performance.
However, Ben Seghir has moved to dismiss any suggestion of discord within the camp, stressing that the players’ relationship with the coach remains strong and united.
Speaking about the atmosphere in the squad, Ben Seghir made it clear that Regragui continues to enjoy the full support of his players.
“He is the manager… We are ready to fight for him on the pitch, just as he fights for us… He is under a lot of criticism, whether it is justified or not, but we are always behind him,” he said.
The midfielder also revealed how the national team coach has shielded his players from external pressure, choosing to shoulder responsibility himself during a challenging period.
The coach reportedly told the squad: “Don’t let the criticism affect you, leave it to me… I am the coach, and I will take full responsibility.”
Ben Seghir added that the focus within the group has remained firmly on performance and collective improvement. He explained that the players encouraged one another to give everything on the pitch in order to respond positively.
“We simply asked the coach to give our all on the field and try to redeem himself and the national team, which everyone quickly understood,” he added.
With the knockout stages approaching, the comments underline a united Moroccan camp determined to rally behind their coach as they pursue success at AFCON 2025 on home soil.
The host nation will take on Tanzania in their Round 16 fixture on Sunday, January 4.
