HIBAPRESS
National coach Walid Regragui stated today, Tuesday in Rabat, that the semi-final match against the Nigerian national team is a premature final considering the value of the two teams and the importance of the stake.
Regragui explained, during the press conference preceding the match, that the Moroccan national team had not reached the semi-finals for a long time, indicating that the match will be against a strong and organized team, while expressing the hope of the national team to win and reach the final match. The national coach pointed out that the Nigerian team includes distinguished players and has a strong bench, while emphasizing the need for mental readiness and not giving the opponent a chance to impose its rhythm, while working to limit its technical and physical superiority, describing the match as a real test for both sides. Regragui confirmed that the level of the Moroccan team has seen a gradual development since the group stage, highlighting that the technical staff worked on preparing some elements in particular, including Hamza Ighman, Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz, adding that the team will face an opponent that has overcome the disappointment of being eliminated from the World Cup and is focusing heavily on this continental championship. The national coach noted that the golden square in this edition is the strongest, given the presence of players who won the African Golden Ball, considering that this stage reflects the best image of African football. For his part, goalkeeper Munir El Mohamedi expressed his satisfaction with reaching the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations, describing it as a long-awaited achievement, and confirming that the team has prepared well to put on a great match. El Mohamedi added that the players are ready at the mental, physical and tactical levels to face one of the strongest teams on the continent, stressing that everyone realizes the importance of the match to qualify for the final and get closer to winning the continental title.
