AFCON 2025: Morocco Coach Walid Regragui Reveals Key Advantage Over Super Eagles
- Walid Regragui insists Morocco’s only advantage over Nigeria is massive home support
- Morocco arrive unbeaten in 25 matches, facing a Super Eagles side with a perfect AFCON record
- Nigeria and Morocco meet at AFCON for the first time in 22 years, renewing a fierce rivalry
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has spoken boldly ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against Nigeria, revealing what he believes is the only real advantage the host nation holds over the Super Eagles.
With tensions rising and narratives swirling around officiating, the Moroccan manager was keen to set the record straight.
Source: Getty Images
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, January 12, Regragui dismissed suggestions that referees have favoured Morocco during the tournament.
Instead, he insisted that home support, not officiating, will be the decisive edge when the Atlas Lions face Nigeria in front of a packed stadium.
Regragui says home crowd is Morocco's advantage
Regragui was clear and unapologetic when addressing claims surrounding Morocco’s controversial quarter-final win over Cameroon.
Source: Getty Images
Despite protests over denied penalties, the coach maintained that his team has earned its place and does not rely on external help, Al Jazeera reports.
“We’re the team to beat. As the team to beat, people will try to find all sorts of reasons to say Morocco has an advantage. The only advantage that Morocco has at this Africa Cup is playing in front of 65,000 spectators. The rest is on the field, we speak on the field,” Regragui said.
For Morocco, playing at home has transformed every match into a fortress-like occasion, with roaring fans driving the team forward.
Regragui believes that atmosphere, not referees, could tilt the balance against Nigeria.
Morocco and Nigeria set for semifinal clash
Morocco head into the semi-final riding an incredible 25-match unbeaten streak, a run that dates back to their shock elimination by South Africa at the 2023 AFCON.
The Atlas Lions have grown in confidence since then and are considered the favourites heading into the crucial game on Wednesday, January 14.
Nigeria, however, represents their biggest challenge yet as Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles have been ruthless at AFCON 2025, winning all five matches played so far and eliminating heavyweights along the way.
Both teams remain undefeated at the tournament, Nigeria with five wins from five, Morocco with four wins and a draw, setting the stage for a heavyweight showdown.
Head-to-head watch
Wednesday’s clash will be the sixth AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Morocco, and history suggests fireworks.
All five previous AFCON encounters between the Atlas Lions and the Super Eagles produced a winner, underlining how finely balanced the rivalry has been.
According to CAF Online, this will also be their first AFCON meeting in 22 years and the second time both sides face off in a semi-final.
Overall, it is their 12th international meeting, with Morocco holding a slight edge with six wins to Nigeria’s three, alongside two draws.
Super Eagles star issues warning to Morocco
In another development, Legit.ng reported that the Super Eagles are not just winning games at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, they are growing into the tournament, and Semi Ajayi believes that could make all the difference against hosts Morocco.
After Nigeria’s brilliant 2-0 victory over Algeria, the England-born defender made it clear the team is ready for whatever atmosphere awaits them in the semifinal.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
