Morocco head coach Walid Regragui said his team is entering the Africa Cup of Nations with strong determination and a clear ambition to win the title as the tournament kicks off on home soil.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of Morocco’s opening match against Comoros, Regragui said the Atlas Lions aim to lift the continental trophy and deliver a tournament worthy of Moroccan supporters, who have waited years to host the competition.
“Hosting the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has long been a dream,” Regragui said. “Our goal is to win the title in front of our fans and to deliver the best tournament possible.”
The tournament runs from Dec. 21 to Jan. 18 and opens Sunday with Morocco facing Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
Regragui said all matches carry the same importance, although he acknowledged that the opening game comes with added organizational pressure and heightened expectations for players.
Addressing recent injuries to key players, including Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat and Ighamane, the coach said the technical staff has dealt with the situation without making excuses, stressing that each player understands his responsibilities within the squad.
Since taking charge of the national team in 2022, Regragui said he has worked to instill a winning mentality focused on trophies rather than isolated positive results, adding that confidence in the team’s own capabilities has been central to Morocco’s rise to higher competitive levels.
Morocco is considered among the leading contenders for the title, including in some artificial intelligence-based projections, Regragui said, while cautioning that African football remains highly competitive and prone to surprises.
He also highlighted the balance within the squad, combining experienced players such as Romain Saiss, Hakimi and Amrabat with younger talents including Bilal El Khannouss and Talbi, as part of a strategy aimed at both immediate success and long-term continuity.
Regragui thanked Hakimi for his efforts to return quickly from injury, noting that a final decision on the defender’s participation against Comoros will be made after a last assessment of his fitness.
He added that the national team faced delays in the release of five players due to club commitments, saying discussions were held to protect both club and national interests, while praising clubs such as Real Betis and Fenerbahce for their cooperation.
Morocco completed its final training session Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Group A opener.
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