A memorable feat for Regragui in the history of AFCON | OneFootball

AFCON 2025: Walid Regragui makes Moroccan football history

Regragui / @x.com/avszn1/

Twenty years after playing in an Africa Cup of Nations final as a player, Walid Regragui returns to the same continental stage—this time, from the dugout.

He etches his name into the history books as the first Moroccan coach to reach an AFCON final with the Atlas Lions, having already contested the showpiece as a player.

At 50, Regragui led Morocco to the AFCON 2025 final after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Nigeria (4-2) in the semifinals, following a tight match that ended goalless after regulation and extra time.

To recall, the Moroccan tactician had already played in an AFCON final back in 2004 as a player under Badou Zaki. That day, Morocco fell to Tunisia (2-1), despite a lightning-fast opener from Youssef Mokhtari.

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Regragui: "The qualification is deserved, the team spirit is excellent"

In his press conference, Walid Regragui praised his players’ impeccable mentality and tactical discipline, emphasizing that the group’s collective commitment and solidarity were decisive in reaching the final.

He also underlined that his squad fully deserved this qualification, highlighting the positive atmosphere within the camp—a factor that clearly translated into cohesion and performance on the pitch.

The Moroccan side now looks ahead to the final against Senegal, set for this Sunday at Rabat’s Abdellah Stadium, with the ambition of clinching the second continental title in their history.

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