AFCON 2025: Walid Regragui warns his players ahead of Morocco–Nigeria

On the eve of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, the head coach of the Atlas Lions, Walid Regragui, stressed concentration and mastery of duels to avoid any punishment from the Super Eagles.

Walid Regragui set the framework. On the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Nigeria, the Morocco coach stressed the principles that his players must strictly adhere to in order to hope to reach the final.

The 50-year-old coach emphasised mental rigor and impact in duels, noting that the slightest lapse could be fatal against a Nigerian side renowned for its ability to punish the slightest mistake. We must stay focused and win our duels against Nigeria. We must not back down like against Cameroon, because they can punish us, he explained at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

Regragui also called on his men to raise the level after the break. We must raise our level in the second half so that Nigeria cannot breathe, come back into the match or impose its technical superiority, he continued. Morocco and Nigeria head into this decisive meeting buoyed by their respective successes against Cameroon and Algeria, with a final place in sight.