This is what Regragui said in today's seminar regarding the Africa Cup of Nations ✍️👇👇👇

This is what Regragui said in today's seminar regarding the Africa Cup of Nations ✍️👇👇👇

National coach Walid Regragui stressed on Friday in Salé the importance of rallying around the Moroccan national football team to win the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be held in the Kingdom from December 21 to January 18, 2025, stressing that the Moroccan public will represent a “strong support” for the Atlas Lions during this tournament.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the squad called up for the friendly matches against Mozambique and Uganda, Regragui said: “The players have a strong desire to make history, and we must have a winning mentality. It is necessary to change the mentality, and we will strive to deliver the best possible performance in the Africa Cup of Nations,” calling for “confidence in the work of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the technical staff.”

Regarding the scheduling of the two friendly matches in Tangier, which are the last two tests before the African Cup of Nations, Regragui confirmed that the Grand Stadium in Tangier is among the best stadiums on the continent, noting that “the fans of the north of the Kingdom are known for their passion and deep love for football.”

Regarding the selection of competing teams, Regragui explained that the options were limited, “especially since a number of major African teams, such as Nigeria, Gabon, DR Congo and Cameroon, will be playing in the African play-off matches for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (scheduled to take place between November 13 and 16).”

On the other hand, Regragui admitted that the national team's defense still raises some questions, saying: “We have not been able to maintain the same stability in the defense. You cannot win the Africa Cup of Nations relying only on young players, we need players who have experience and are well aware of the atmosphere and size of the national team.”

The return of Romain Saïss, the Al Sadd defender, to the national team was considered a “logical” move, given his extensive experience and influential role within the squad.

He added, “We will adapt to different circumstances. We have managed to keep a clean sheet in 14 out of 18 matches, which proves that the team does not face any real problems in defense.”

The national coach touched on the historic achievement of the under-20 team in winning the World Cup in Chile, describing this title as “exceptional” by all standards.

Regragui noted that the message directed to the under-20 players is that they must prove themselves within their clubs first, and then they can think about securing a place within the ranks of the first national team, stressing that they “are not far from achieving this goal.”

Regarding Hakim Ziyech, the national coach expressed his delight at the player's return to the pitch through Wydad Athletic Club. He considered a player of Ziyech's caliber a significant asset to the Moroccan professional league, recalling that several other international players had previously returned to play in Morocco, such as Abdelhamid El Kaoutari, Munir Mohamedi, and Nordin Amrabat.

The national coach has called up 27 players to participate in the two friendly matches that the Moroccan national team will play against its Mozambican and Ugandan counterparts, respectively, on November 14 and 18, at the Grand Stadium in Tangier (at 8 pm).

The squad list saw the return of defender Romain Saiss and forwards Soufiane Rahimi and Soufiane Diop, and the first call-up of PSV Eindhoven's left-back Anas Salaheddine, while star Achraf Hakimi is absent due to injury.

The national team will compete in the Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2025) in Group A alongside Comoros, Mali and Zambia.

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