Soccer
Coach Walid Regragui Addresses Media at AFCON 2025. (Photo credit: Imago)
Morocco coach Walid Regragui has stated that he is not afraid of getting sacked if his team loses their semifinal clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria lock horns with Morocco in the semifinal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
They have been two of the best teams in this tournament. In fact, to many, the winner of this game will eventually be the winner of the tournament.
The stakes are high, and both teams will be desperately hungry to emerge victorious after 90 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium.
For Nigeria, it goes beyond just this game. The players are looking to prove themselves to the fans after performing below par in previous years.
In fact, they are still hurting from missing out on a 2026 World Cup ticket just before the start of the AFCON. Also, none of the current crop of players has won a trophy for the country yet.
For the Atlas Lions of Morocco, they have not won the AFCON since their first title in 1976. Since then, they have struggled to do anything worthy of note in the competition.
Furthermore, the players are victims of their own success. They reached the semifinal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and there were high expectations that they would dominate the continent afterwards.
But they failed to deliver in their previous attempt. Now, they want to win the AFCON to prove that their World Cup feat im 2022 was not a fluke.
Soccer What Morocco coach Walid Regragui Said About His Job
Given the immense pressure, there is a chance that coach Regragui’s job might be on the line. Recall that he has been in charge of the team since 2022, but he doesn’t have any silverware to show for it.
However, the Moroccan tactician is not bothered about being fired. He insists that he is focused on helping his players and winning games for the country.
“Not just me, every coach that has a job has to prepare in case he is sacked. But for me, this is not my mindset, never,” Regragui said at the pre-match conference for the game against Nigeria.
“I’m here to make the best squad on the pitch, to help my players, and to do the best to make my country and the fans happy.
“If I started the job with the mindset to be sacked, I would even do the job. So I’m not afraid about getting sacked.”
The game promises to be an interesting spectacle, and both teams will definitely present their best game.
Kelvin Omachonu
Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.
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