Ahead of Morocco’s semi-final clash against Nigeria at AFCON 2025, Walid Regragui once again displayed his trademark directness. In the pre-match press conference, the Atlas Lions coach reviewed his team’s journey and addressed several key issues.
He joked about rumors surrounding Azzedine Ounahi’s possible return before confirming the midfielder remains unavailable, while Romain Saïss continues to recover. Regragui also underlined the importance of reaching the last four, praising Nigeria’s historic pedigree and pointing out that Senegal, Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria represent the strongest forces currently on the continent.
The Moroccan coach then confronted the refereeing controversies that have followed his team since the start of the tournament. Calm but assertive, Regragui rejected the idea that Morocco benefits from officiating decisions as host nation.
He stressed that refereeing debates are universal, even in Europe, and recalled several incidents involving his players that went unpunished. Determined not to fuel distractions, he explained that he deliberately avoids discussing these matters with his squad in order to keep them focused on football alone.
To conclude, Regragui clarified his remarks about the overall standard of the competition. He reiterated that AFCON 2025 represents the highest level the tournament has ever reached, thanks to improved infrastructure, better playing conditions and the presence of elite stars such as Mané, Salah, Osimhen, Lookman and Hakimi.
In his view, these factors enhance African football’s image and reduce the likelihood of major surprises. With the record set straight, the Moroccan coach now turns fully toward Nigeria, hoping the Super Eagles clash will push his team one step closer to the final.