Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has praised his players after the Atlas Lions booked a place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The tournament hosts edged Nigeria 4–2 on penalties in a tense semifinal clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Wednesday night, after the match ended goalless following 120 minutes of action.
Morocco dominated large spells of the encounter, restricting the Super Eagles to just two attempts during extra time.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero in the shootout, making two crucial saves to secure victory for the hosts.
Speaking after the match, Regragui commended the collective effort of his team and expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support.
“I thank everyone who supported us. We received very touching messages, and they had a big impact on us. I thank our players—we are very proud of them—and I also thank the Moroccan fans who truly deserve this achievement,” he said.
Regragui admitted the match was physically demanding but described reaching the final on home soil as a special moment.
“We suffered a lot, and reaching the Africa Cup of Nations final at home is a beautiful gift. Now we must think about physical recovery quickly because we made a huge effort. The match was difficult and consumed a lot of energy,” he noted.
The Moroccan coach also praised Nigeria and their head coach, Eric Chelle, for their performance throughout the tournament.
“I congratulate the Nigerian national team and coach Eric Chelle for the great work they have done,” he added.
Morocco will face Senegal in Sunday’s final in Rabat, while Nigeria will play Egypt in the third-place playoff in Casablanca on Saturday.
