“These are matches decided by mental strength and fine margins. It’s a wonderful gift for the Moroccan public,” Regragui said at the post-match press conference following the semi-final, which Morocco won on penalties (4-2) after a goalless draw at the end of extra time.
To win titles, Regragui stressed, a strong mindset is required, not just talented players, while praising the performances of Moroccan football in recent years.
On this occasion, the national coach also expressed his sincere thanks to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the continuous support the Sovereign provides to the national team and for the development of football in the Kingdom.
“We faced a solid, well-organized team. We needed a lot of energy and must recover as quickly as possible,” he added, noting that the most important thing is that Morocco have reached the AFCON final, 22 years after their last appearance in 2004 against Tunisia.
“We went through difficult moments. We must stay positive and focused in order to win this title together,” Regragui continued, adding that preparations will begin on Thursday ahead of the final against Senegal, scheduled for the 18th of this month in Rabat.
In this context, the national coach praised the work of the Atlas Lions’ medical staff, describing it as “one of the best in the world.” “Today’s victory also belongs to the entire staff. It is Morocco’s victory,” he underlined.
“Youssef En-Nesyri volunteered to take the final penalty. That shows the personality of this great player, who has given so much to the Moroccan team,” he said, noting that the players form a “close-knit group.”
Sunday’s match will be very important for the history of Moroccan football, Regragui added, stressing that the national team must be consistent in reaching the latter stages of major tournaments.
For his part, Yassine Bounou, named Man of the Match, thanked the fans for their unwavering support of the Atlas Lions during this difficult encounter.
“The love shown by the fans toward the national team players pushes us to make even greater efforts,” he said, noting that Morocco faced a “very strong Nigerian team.”
“We prepared well for this match. I thank all the players. We will recover mentally and physically over the next three days so that we can deliver a strong performance in the final,” Bounou concluded.
