Walid Regragui and Fouzi Lekjaa arrival during the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Draw at Theatre Mohammed, Rabat on the 27 January 2025 ©BackpagePix
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025. 11:00
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui is banking on their fanatical home support to aid his country’s quest in lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy for the first time since 1976.
The Atlas Lions won their one and only title almost 50 years ago in Ethiopia and they’ve reached the final just once since then, in 2004 when they lost 2-1 to Tunisia.
Regragui’s side are the highest-ranked African nation in the world and they’re amongst the favourites to go all the way in the 35th edition of the continental showpiece.
The 2025 AFCON hosts were paired with Comoros, Mali and Zambia in Group A during Monday’s draw which took place in Rabat, and Regragui admits there will be lots of pressure to perform in front of their adoring fans come December.
“My country has been waiting since 1976 to win the Cup of Nations again. There will be stress and pressure for sure, but I am hopeful that we can succeed,” he said.
“A key factor in our favour will be the Moroccan people. They are the best football supporters in the world. That said, it is vital that we respect all our opponents, starting with Comoros.”
