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Join on Telegram Rabat – Walid Regragui, head coach of Morocco’s national team, said the Atlas Lions are ready ahead of their second group-stage match against Mali at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Moroccan squad will face Mali on Friday in a crucial group match, as the Atlas Lions aim to qualify for the knockout stage.
Speaking at a press conference today, Regragui said winning the first match was very important and added that the upcoming game will be difficult. “Now we are facing a tough match against Mali, a team we know very well. They are among the strongest teams, with high-quality players who always want to win,” he said.
“Our goal is to win and qualify for the next round,” Regragui said with confidence.
The coach also provided updates on the team’s injured players. He confirmed that Nayef Aguerd is fully fit, while captain Romain Saiss is suffering from a muscle injury and will miss the upcoming game. Meanwhile, Achraf Hakimi is recovering and on his way back, as is Hamza Igamane.
Speaking about young defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Regragui commended the player and described him as a future star. “He is a talent. I coached him about 10 years ago at FUS Rabat. He is doing an excellent job and is a jewel for the future,” he said.
Regragui also reflected on Morocco’s history against Mali. He recalled that Morocco beat Mali in the semi-final of AFCON 2004 but had lost to them earlier in Casablanca. He warned that Mali has fast and talented players and said the team must stay very focused. “They always have big names. It will be a very difficult match,” he said.
The coach admitted that Morocco made some mistakes in the previous game but insisted that matches are won over 90 minutes, not just one half. “What matters in the end is winning,” he said.
The team initially struggled to find the back of the net during their AFCON opener against Comoros, but the Atlas Lions managed to win all three points and claim a 2-0 victory. Brahim Diaz opened the scoring, followed by a stunning bicycle kick from Ayoub El Kaabi, both in the second half.
Regragui concluded by saying that AFCON matches are difficult for everyone and that all teams are ready to compete. He added that Morocco’s main advantage in this tournament is the strong support of the home crowd.
