Regragui insists Morocco’s disputed AFCON triumph makes him African champion

Walid Regragui says he considers himself an Africa Cup of Nations champion despite Morocco’s defeat by Senegal in the 2025 final, while also recalling one of his most memorable matches as a player: Morocco’s quarter-final against Algeria in 2004.

The former Morocco manager said the national team had done everything possible to win the continental title and argued that being awarded a penalty late in the final showed how close his side had come to securing the trophy.

“For me as a coach, we did everything to win the title,” Regragui said during an appearance on the Maghreb podcast on the Athir platform.

“For me, I am Africa’s champion, whether you like it or not,” he added, making clear that he believes Morocco’s performances during the tournament were worthy of the championship.

Morocco originally lost 1-0 to Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, which was played in Morocco. The match was followed by controversy after Senegal’s players protested the decision to award Morocco a penalty and then left the pitch.

The Confederation of African Football later ruled that Senegal had withdrawn from the match and awarded the title to Morocco. Senegal rejected the decision and took its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, leaving the official status of the tournament’s winner subject to a legal dispute away from the pitch.

Regragui said he would wait for the legal process to reach its conclusion, but maintained his view of Morocco’s sporting achievements during the competition.

“We had a great tournament, we were among the best teams, or the best team, and we played some great matches,” he said. “As for the final, we will wait to see what the Court of Arbitration for Sport says.”

“We could have won, just as the opponents could have won. For me, we reached the 90th minute and were awarded a penalty. If Brahim Diaz had scored it, we would have been crowned champions. For me, I am Africa’s champion.”

Regragui remembers Algeria match

Away from the controversy surrounding the 2025 final, Regragui reflected on the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, when he represented Morocco in a dramatic quarter-final against Algeria.

He said matches between Morocco and its North African rivals Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia always carried particular significance, while stressing that the rivalry should remain within the boundaries of sporting respect.

“When you play Algeria, Egypt or Tunisia, you are playing derbies and you do not want to lose them, but the competition is always played in a sporting spirit,” Regragui said.

“For me, the match against Algeria at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations remains unforgettable. It was a quarter-final with a dramatic scenario. Algeria scored in the 82nd minute, then the equaliser came in the dying moments.”

Morocco went on to reach the final of that tournament, where they were beaten by hosts Tunisia. The campaign remained one of the defining moments of Regragui’s playing career before, years later, he returned to lead the Atlas Lions from the dugout.