Walid Regragui: Moroccan Fans Will Be the “Great Advantage” of the Atlas Lions During AFCON 2025

“The players want to make history. We need to have a winning mentality. The mindset must change. We will play the best AFCON possible,” said Regragui during a press conference dedicated to unveiling the list of players selected for the friendly matches against Mozambique and Uganda.

The coach called for trust in the work of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the technical staff, noting once again that the Moroccan public will be a “great asset” for the team during the competition.

Regarding the decision to play the two friendly matches in Tangier, Regragui explained that the Grand Stade de Tanger is among the best stadiums on the continent and that “the fans in the north of the country are known for their passion for football.”

Discussing the choice of opponents, the coach clarified that the options were limited, “especially since several major African teams such as Nigeria, Gabon, DR Congo, and Cameroon will be playing their 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs in November.”

Regragui also acknowledged that the team’s central defense remains a point of concern. “We have never been able to line up the same central defense. You can’t win AFCON with only young players. You need experienced ones who understand the team’s environment and weight,” he said.

In this regard, he described the return of Romain Saïss, currently playing for Al-Sadd in Qatar, as “logical,” given his experience and leadership within the national team. “We will adapt. We’ve had 14 clean sheets in 18 matches, which shows that we have no worries about our defensive line,” he added.

The national coach also praised the U20 national team for their historic triumph at the World Cup in Chile, calling it an “extraordinary” achievement. “It’s a strong message to the world. What matters now is that the U20 players secure regular playing time with their clubs. They are close to earning spots in the senior team,” he said.

On another note, Regragui expressed his satisfaction with Hakim Ziyech’s return to competition as a Wydad Casablanca player. “A player of Ziyech’s caliber brings real value to the Botola Pro D1,” he noted, also mentioning other internationals who have returned home, such as Abdelhamid Kaouthari, Mounir Mohamedi, and Nordin Amrabat.

Walid Regragui has called up 27 players for the two friendly matches against Mozambique and Uganda, scheduled for November 14 and 18 at the Grand Stade de Tanger (8 p.m.), as part of preparations for AFCON Morocco 2025.

The list features the return of Romain Saïss, as well as forwards Soufiane Rahimi and Sofiane Diop, the first call-up for PSV Eindhoven player Anass Salah-Eddine, and the absence of Achraf Hakimi due to injury.

Morocco will play in Group A of the tournament alongside Comoros, Mali, and Zambia.

Editorial team/le7tv