Walid Regragui ahead of the clash with Senegal: “A final at home is a historic moment for Morocco”
A few hours before the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, national team head coach Walid Regragui faced the press in Rabat with calm, ambition, and a discourse marked by tactical and mental maturity.
Aware of what is at stake, the Moroccan tactician did not downplay the difficulty of the task. “We are at the final stage, the most demanding one, against one of the best African and world teams,” he stressed, paying tribute to Senegal’s experience as finalists three times in the last four editions. For Regragui, this matchup also represents the very best of continental football. “Seeing the two most successful teams in Africa meet in the final is an excellent showcase for our football.”
Managing the pressure of playing at home
Playing a final on home soil is both a strength and a responsibility. Regragui fully embraces it. “The pressure is on us, that is natural. The key is to manage emotions well and not let them overwhelm us.” Drawing lessons from previous matches, notably against Tanzania, Cameroon, and Nigeria, he emphasized the need for a strong start and maximum focus from the opening minutes.
“What I fear most is excessive tension or a negative approach. A final is played with enjoyment, but above all, it has to be won,” he insisted.
A squad ready physically and mentally
Asked about the physical condition of his players after demanding matches, some decided in extra time and penalty shootouts, Regragui was reassuring. “A player who is not at 100 percent will not start. We have a squad capable of maintaining a high level of intensity.” On the mental side, the coach believes motivation is total. “Everyone wants to write a page of history.”
He also highlighted the experience built over the past two years, marked by an impressive run of 19 consecutive victories, a major asset when facing an opponent as seasoned as Senegal.
A vision beyond the final
Beyond the immediate stakes, Walid Regragui recalled that Moroccan football’s project is built for the long term. “The goal is not to win a final and live off it for decades. We want to be there in two years, in four years, and continue to progress. The greatness of a football nation is measured by its consistency.”
While he naturally hopes to lift the trophy, the head coach advocates a philosophy rooted in resilience and hard work. “Inch’Allah, we will win tomorrow. But whether there is victory or not, Moroccans know how to get back up and move forward.”
The Morocco–Senegal final will be played on Sunday evening at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, in an atmosphere that promises to be historic and filled with immense hope for national football.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv
