Morocco coach Walid Regragui has described Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal as a defining moment for his generation of Atlas Lions as they seek to end nearly five decades without continental glory.
The hosts, who last won the tournament in 1976, will face Senegal in Rabat with the weight of a nation’s expectations firmly on their shoulders.
The 49-year-old knows the pain of AFCON final defeat all too well. As a player, Regragui was part of the Morocco side that lost 2-1 to Tunisia in the 2004 final, making Sunday’s showpiece a chance at redemption two decades later.
He made it clear he fully accepts the unique pressure his side face playing at home.
“It’s now or never,” Regragui said at the pre-match press conference. “Naturally, there is more pressure on us because we are playing at home. It will be important to control our emotions and stay calm.”
The Moroccan boss identified emotional management as the crucial factor in determining the outcome, explaining that “for us, the key factor will be managing emotions”.
Regragui elaborated on his concerns, adding that “my only fear is not playing freely, putting too much pressure on ourselves and starting to think negatively. This is a football match, a final: you have to play it, you have to enjoy it.”
Despite the pressure, he believes the match is finely balanced but suggested his side hold a slight edge due to their passionate support.
“It’s a 50-50 game, maybe 51 for us, because we are at home and we will have our fans behind us,” the coach explained.
He also praised his opponents and highlighted the significance of the occasion for African football.
“To have the two best teams on the continent in the final is good for African football,” Regragui said. “They are one of the best teams not just in Africa, but in the world, with a lot of quality and experience.”
Morocco’s journey to the final has captivated the host nation, with supporters dreaming of witnessing their first continental triumph since the Atlas Lions won the trophy nearly half a century ago.
Sunday’s showpiece represents the culmination of Morocco’s hosting ambitions and their technical progress under Regragui’s guidance since he took charge in 2022.
The match will test whether his squad can handle the emotional intensity of such a momentous occasion whilst delivering the performance required to overcome Senegal.
The Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Sunday in Rabat.
