Rabat, Morocco — Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has described his team’s progression to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a “historic” achievement, following a convincing 2–0 victory over Cameroon on Friday. However, the Atlas Lions’ coach was quick to caution against complacency, insisting that the hosts have “not done anything yet” at the tournament.
Goals from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari, scored either side of half-time, secured the quarter-final win at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Morocco, buoyed by a dominant first-half display, set the tempo early and maintained control for much of the contest.
“We need to just keep going one game at a time. We have not done anything yet,” Regragui said after the match. “It was our best first-half performance since the World Cup, with lots of pressing and intensity. I think we deserved the win, even though things evened out a bit in the second half.”
Diaz opened the scoring in the 26th minute, and Cameroon struggled to recover from the early setback as Morocco imposed their game plan with confidence and discipline.
The victory sends Morocco into the AFCON semi-finals for the first time since 2004, when they finished runners-up to Tunisia. Regragui, who was part of that squad as a player, acknowledged the significance of the moment while urging focus ahead of the final stages.
“It is historic. Moroccans have not seen their team in the semi-finals of an AFCON for 22 years,” he said. “They deserve it, but we need to keep our feet on the ground and make it even more historic.”
Diaz Praised as Morocco’s ‘X Factor’
Regragui reserved special praise for Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz, who has now scored five goals in five matches at the tournament.
“He is the X factor of my team,” the coach said. “He has been amazing, scoring in every game. Tonight, he sent a message to the rest of the side with the way he ran and fought.”
Cameroon, five-time AFCON champions, exit the tournament at the quarter-final stage. Despite the disappointment, head coach David Pagou, who was appointed shortly before the competition, expressed pride in his players’ efforts.
“We are satisfied with the boys because they have given a lot of emotions to the Cameroonian people, and that was the aim,” Pagou said. “We wanted to go as far as possible, but this is a team that is progressing. There are millions of Cameroonians who can be pleased.”
Pagou added that the campaign provided valuable lessons for the future, saying he would “take away a lot of good things” from the tournament.
Morocco now turn their attention to the semi-finals, aiming to build on their strong form and capitalize on home support as they pursue a first AFCON title since 1976.
