Morocco coach Walid Regragui has tagged the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as the strongest tournament in history, setting sights on the ultimate.
In a high-stake clash on Wednesday, the Atlas Lions will lock horns with the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, with victory crucial to securing qualification to the finals of the tournament.
Morocco triumphed over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the quarterfinals, setting up a fierce battle with the Super Eagles, who also defeated Algeria.
For Regragui, he hopes the Atlas Lions of Morocco secure the strongest Africa Cup of Nations title in history, as the team gears up for the semi-final clash.
“I hope we win the strongest Africa Cup of Nations in history. The stadiums are great, the teams are strong, and we have 4 or 5 players who won the best player award in the continent in the semi-finals”
“Considering all of that, I think it is the best advertisement that can be done for the tournament. When the tournament is played in Mali in 50-degree heat, it is difficult to win the match, but here there are different standards for the teams, even if they do not perform at their best. All the conditions are combined in the semi-finals, and I think we are progressing and moving in the right direction to raise the level of African football.” He said at the pre-match conference.
He continued: “Our goal today is not to say that we have won or done anything, but to keep the title in Morocco. We will face Nigeria and the important thing is to achieve victory and be fully focused in one of our most important matches since the World Cup.”
“Since the end of the World Cup, we have a different status, and for 22 years Morocco has not reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, and we know that the match will be difficult.”
