Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has dismissed claims of any external edge ahead of Wednesday’s AFCON 2025 semi-final clash against Nigeria, stressing that home support is the only advantage his side will enjoy against the Super Eagles.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, Regragui addressed debates surrounding refereeing, which have intensified following Morocco’s controversial 2–0 quarter-final win over Cameroon.
Despite claims that the Indomitable Lions were denied clear penalties, the Atlas Lions boss was firm in rejecting any notion of favoritism.
“As the team to beat, people will try to find all sorts of reasons to say Morocco has an advantage,” Regragui told reporters.
“The only advantage that Morocco has is playing in front of 65,000 spectators. The rest is on the field. We speak on the field.”
Doubling down, the former Wydad Casablanca coach highlighted statistics to justify Morocco’s impressive run to the semi-finals.
“Statistics show we are better than our opponents. We create more chances, and no goals were wrongly disallowed. Some people just look for excuses,” he added.
Morocco enters the semi-final on a remarkable 25-match unbeaten streak, a run that began after their surprising exit at the hands of South Africa at the previous AFCON.
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Buoyed by home support and confidence, Regragui’s squad believes it is well placed to finally claim continental glory.
However, standing in their path are Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles, widely regarded as the tournament’s most potent attacking team and capableof silencing the 65,000-strong home crowd in Rabat.
For Nigeria, the semi-final offers an opportunity to end Morocco’s streak and move one step closer to their first AFCON title since 2013.
With 25 games unbeaten and a stadium full of home supporters, Regragui remains focused on what he considers Morocco’s only advantage while preparing his team for a fiercely contested showdown against Nigeria