AFCON: Why We Beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles — Morocco Coach Regragui

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, has explained how the Atlas Lions edged past Nigeria’s Super Eagles to secure a place in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Regragui attributed Morocco’s semi-final victory to the collective effort, resilience, and unity displayed by his players, as well as the unwavering support from Moroccan fans throughout the encounter. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

The highly competitive match, played on Wednesday night, ended goalless after 120 minutes, before Morocco emerged 4–2 winners in a penalty shootout. Nigerian players Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi both missed their spot-kicks, paving the way for Morocco’s qualification.

Speaking during his post-match interview, Regragui admitted that his side endured a physically demanding contest but remained mentally strong until the final whistle.

“We suffered a lot throughout the match, and reaching the AFCON final on home soil is a beautiful gift,” Regragui said.

The Moroccan coach noted that extra time took a toll on his players but praised their determination and discipline.

“Now we must think about physical recovery quickly because we made a huge effort. The match was very difficult, we played extra time, and it consumed a lot of energy,” he added.

Regragui also commended the Super Eagles for their performance and acknowledged the work of Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, describing the Nigerian team as a formidable opponent.

“I congratulate the Nigerian national team and coach Eric Chelle for the great work they’ve done,” he said.
“I also congratulate our players and our fans because we all fought together for this victory without exception.”

Morocco will now turn their attention to the AFCON final, where they hope to cap off their impressive campaign with a continental title.