Heavily criticized for the restrictive play of his team, Walid Regragui defended himself by emphasizing the increase in the overall level of the competition and the need to approach each meeting with humility to continue the journey.
Morocco is in transition times. Big favorite of the African Cup of Nations organized in its country, the selection is well qualified for the quarter-finals, Friday against Cameroon (8 p.m.) in Rabat, stadium where it plays all its matches after its first place in the group. But the performances of the Atlas Lions are shrouded in a little taste of unfinished business among the supporters, quite angry against the restrictive style of play. Coach Walid Regragui finds himself on the front line of this wave of skepticism. And his way of taking a pragmatic approach to avoid any unpleasant surprises speaks for him.
“It’s the CAN of humility”
But the technician does not budge: according to him, the long-awaited title will go through this style due to the very tough adversity. The technician does not lack ambition, however. Yes, he is aiming for the coronation in the competition after a series of disillusionment since 1974, the year of the country’s only title.
“The past is the past, I have always said that we are the new Morocco,” he continued. “What happened before, I don’t calculate (…) Cameroon is their competition and they have everything to lose because they will wait two years before having another competition (in reference to the elimination of Cameroon for the 2026 World Cup). We have everything to lose because we are at home but we have a big competition in six months. We have pressure but so do they. But they have a very good coach (David Pagou), very good players, it’s the CAN of humility even if people didn’t want to understand it. When you see the results, you fall into line.”
He cites the big posters in the quarter-finals where the representatives belong to the Top 10 of the best African nations in the Fifa ranking. “When we see the tournament with the shocks, all the big teams are there,” he insists. “It’s a continental shock, no need to introduce Cameroon. We know it’s still going to be difficult. Cameroon carried Africa and they are there. It’s going to be a big match and we hope to show a beautiful face of African football.”
The technician, who announced the 100% return of his striker Hamza Igamane and an uncertainty still present for midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, also explained the unexciting style of play of his team. “The vision since the start of the CAN is: Morocco does not impress, is not proactive,” he concludes. “Yes we have possession, but Cameroon projects quickly and knowing the Cameroonians they will not accept not having the ball. We play high so we leave spaces. Tanzania had the biggest chances of the teams we faced. We put ourselves in a lot of danger but we also have this experience to manage.”
