There was great joy this Wednesday in Rabat. The Moroccans qualified for the final of the 2025 African Cup of Nations, which they are hosting at home. It was necessary to go as far as a penalty shootout to eliminate Nigeria at the end of the suspense (0-0, 4-2 tab). Enough to cause great relief for the captain of the Atlas Lions, Achraf Hakimi.
“We are very happy, proud, there are no words,” rejoiced the PSG right-back at the microphone of BeIN SPORTS. It’s a unique moment for us, we’ve made history once again. The team deserves, the staff. All Moroccans deserve. We are very happy, we would like to enjoy today but we have not finished the work, the best part will be on the 18th (January, the final). »
“The whole team did an incredible job, solid defensively. We didn’t leave time for them to create chances. This is our strength. And then, with the ball, we created chances. Unfortunately today they did not return, but we remained focused, very strong mentally throughout the match,” concluded the man who managed to convert his attempt during the penalty shootout.
“This audience deserves to see an African Cup final again”
Highly criticized by his audience during the competition, Walid Regragui also let his joy burst forth at the whistle, ending almost in tears on the lawn of the Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat.
“We are happy, because we know that this public deserves to see an African Cup final again, they deserve to have a great team,” he explained. It’s true that I was a little heckled… But it doesn’t matter, we accepted it. The group really protected me, they love their coach. As I told them, they have to give it back to me on the ground. Now criticism is part of football. We accept it, despite everything we do. »
“We know that the slightest defeat or the slightest draw in Morocco is a disaster. We stayed focused. We are happy at the end. It’s for the public, because we know that 90% of people are behind this team and they want to have won it,” analyzed the coach of the Atlas Lions since 2022. For the Moroccans, the meeting is in Rabat on Sunday evening (8 p.m.) against Senegal.
Keep reading
