AFCON 2025: London Turns Red & Green as Moroccan Fans Erupt in Westfield Celebration

At Westfield, one of the British capital’s largest shopping malls, the Moroccan community transformed a large restaurant into an improvised stadium to celebrate Morocco’s historic qualification for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The gathering was organized at the initiative of the Moroccan Embassy in London and attended by Morocco’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hakim Hajoui.

From the opening minutes of the match, the atmosphere was electric. Draped in red and green, men and women of all ages packed the venue well before kickoff for a contest that would prove breathtaking. Tables were pushed together, screens multiplied and every gaze was fixed on the pitch, as if suspended by the fate of the Atlas Lions facing Nigeria’s formidable Super Eagles.

For 120 minutes, exile seemed to fade away.

Each Moroccan chance drew collective gasps in a match destined to live long in the memory of Moroccans and football fans across Africa and beyond.

Then came the eruption, with shouts, applause, piercing ululations and spontaneous embraces among strangers at the end of a gripping penalty shootout. The Moroccan goalkeeper etched his name into football lore with two stunning saves that delivered victory to his teammates and joy to an entire nation.

The walls echoed with patriotic songs sung in chorus, while some fans beat on tables like stadium drums. Even the waitstaff, smiling accomplices in the moment, appeared aware they were witnessing something special.

When the final, decisive penalty was converted, sealing Morocco’s place in the AFCON final, jubilation spilled over. Flags appeared everywhere, raised high as smartphones recorded every second to be instantly shared with Casablanca, Safi, Marrakech, Fez, Oujda, Dakhla and Laayoune. Tears of joy flowed alongside laughter and chants.

For many, it was more than a sporting triumph. It was a declaration of pride and a shared identity reaffirmed far from the homeland.

Outside the restaurant, the celebration quickly overflowed into the mall’s corridors. Shoppers, surprised but amused, watched as a sea of red and green swept through Westfield, a vivid reminder of football’s unique power to cross borders and unite diasporas around a common dream.

That night, London was no longer just London. For a few hours, it became a piece of Morocco in celebration, carried by hopes of continental glory and the certainty that, wherever they are, Moroccans know how to celebrate the defining moments of their history together.

“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.

In the other semifinal, played earlier in the afternoon at the Grand Stade de Tanger, Senegal edged past Egypt with a 1–0 victory.

In an analysis entitled “African Morocco: when sport forges the glory of diplomacy and the continent,” published on the center’s website, Sambe stressed that the event goes far beyond the sporting dimension, fitting instead into a comprehensive and structured vision of “African Morocco,” a concept he theorized in his 2024 book (African Morocco: Trajectories of a Continental Ambition).

Hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, he argued, illustrates an “irreversible African choice” under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, noting that this strategic orientation has translated into win-win partnerships, structuring investments and a strengthened Moroccan diplomatic presence across the continent.

The President of the Timbuktu Institute further noted that the modern infrastructure Morocco has developed, particularly stadiums, airports and the high-speed rail network, bears witness to this growing momentum and paves the way for the shared ambition of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Bakary Sambe concluded that “this conscious and fully embraced African identity makes Morocco a key player in the continent’s future, asserting that Africa, as a vision, now lies at the heart of the Moroccan project, underpinned by a strong confidence in the potential of the African people.

Morocco’s goals were scored by Brahim Díaz in the 26th minute and Ismael Saibari in the 74th.

Morocco’s last trial to reach the final will be against the winner of the clash between Nigeria and Algeria scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. local time.

Díaz is also the only player in the past 57 years to have found the net in the first five matches of a single edition. Moreover, he has become just the second player to score against five different nations in the same tournament, after Egypt’s Gedo in 2010.

With these never-before-matched performances, the Real Madrid player confirms his status as a crucial player for the Moroccan national team and the leader of the Atlas Lions’ attack.

Having scored against Comoros, Mali, Zambia, Tanzania and Cameroon, Brahim Díaz, twice named Man of the Match, is enjoying an outstanding AFCON and has established himself as a serious contender for the tournament’s Best Player award.