Rabat – Africa Cup of Nations 2025
Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan national team, expressed his satisfaction with the performance of Soufiane Rahimi in the opening match against Comoros. He deemed Rahimi’s contribution positive within the collective system adopted by the technical staff.
Praise for Rahimi’s Performance
The national coach explained that Rahimi demonstrated tactical commitment and discipline on the field, contributing to creating space and effective movement in the attacking third. This helped the team impose its style during crucial periods of the game.
He added that such roles, even if not always translated into statistics, remain essential in major matches, especially in continental tournaments that demand collective effort more than individual brilliance.
Continued Confidence in Ounahi
In a related context, Regragui reiterated his full support for Azzedine Ounahi, affirming that the player possesses high technical capabilities and that he trusts his ability to make a significant impact as matches progress and the pace of competition intensifies.
He noted that the criticism surrounding Ounahi’s call-up does not affect his technical convictions, emphasizing that the technical staff assesses a player’s readiness within the squad, not just what is circulated outside the pitch.
Focus on the Morocco vs. Mali Match
Regarding the upcoming encounter, the “Atlas Lions” coach stressed that full focus is on the Morocco vs. Mali match, considering it a pivotal point in the group stage.
He confirmed that the starting lineup has not yet been finalized, indicating that the final decision will be made based on each player’s physical and tactical readiness, while adhering to the principle of equal opportunities within the squad.
Winning Mentality in Every Encounter
Regragui clarified that the Moroccan team approaches every match with a winning mentality, without overthinking complex calculations or future stages. He believes that focusing on the current match is the key to success in such tournaments.
He added that the primary goal is to deliver a balanced performance and achieve a positive result that brings the team closer to securing qualification, especially with the anticipated fan support in the upcoming match.
Rising Readiness and Legitimate Ambition
According to the coach, the national team’s preparations are progressing well, with an increasing level of readiness among several players, providing the technical staff with broader options ahead of the Morocco vs. Mali match.
The “Atlas Lions” hope to continue their progressive performance development, consistent with the aspirations of Moroccan fans to go far in the Africa Cup of Nations hosted in the Kingdom.
