Walid Regragui: The National Team Keeps Learning and Improving Ahead of AFCON
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, expressed his satisfaction with the Atlas Lions’ performance against Congo in the 10th and final matchday of Group E in the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. He acknowledged that it was a difficult game, but emphasized that the Moroccan national team continues to learn and improve in preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON Morocco 2025).
Speaking at the post-match press conference, which followed Morocco’s 1-0 victory, Regragui noted that against teams that play with a low defensive block, the key is to find the breakthrough and secure the three points. He pointed out that his players succeeded through a well-coordinated move on the right flank that led to Youssef En-Nesyri’s goal in the 63rd minute, rather than from a set piece.
He explained that Congo’s defensive setup forced Morocco into sterile ball possession, adding that the team’s strategy was to increase tempo to create gaps in the opposition’s defense and find a way to score.
The national coach also praised his players for their efforts, which allowed Morocco to set a new world record for the most consecutive international victories, with 16 wins in a row.
Despite this historic achievement, Regragui stressed that fans now have their sights set on AFCON, declaring, “Our goal is clear: to be ready from the very first match and go for the title.”
For his part, Congo’s head coach, Fabrizio Cesana, said that the objective of such matches is to face high-level players and gain experience for the future of Congolese football.
“We analyzed Morocco’s style of play, identified their strengths, and tried to neutralize their key players,” he added, noting that the future of Congolese football looks promising, with a national team full of young, ambitious players eager to learn and grow through experiences like this one, especially ahead of the next AFCON.
Editorial team/le7tv
