«You won’t find anyone better than me to win AFCON», says Morocco coach Regragui

Today, national team coach Walid Regragui expressed full confidence in his ability to lead Morocco to victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco at the end of the year.

Speaking at a press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamoura, where he announced the squad for upcoming friendly matches against Tunisia (June 6) and Benin (June 9) at the Grand Stadium of Fez, Regragui addressed rumors about his potential departure from the national team. He declared, «You won’t find anyone better than me to win the Africa Cup of Nations».

«If anyone thinks Guardiola, Ancelotti, or Klopp can win it, they should go sit down with them and plead their case. I’m capable of doing it. No one will do it better than me».

Regragui described the two friendly matches as crucial tests to evaluate players ahead of the tournament. «Since the Africa Cup of Nations will see us facing African teams, choosing Tunisia and Benin is important», he explained, noting that both teams have strong defenses that will help Morocco prepare effectively.

On the absence of some players, he said, «We’re not here to chase or seduce anyone. Players must earn the right to represent Morocco». He added, «Our mission is to attract the best players who choose to represent Morocco with their hearts. If a player isn’t called up, it means they haven’t secured their place yet or have other options». He urged fans to support the players who have accepted the call to wear the national jersey.

Regarding the missing defenders, Regragui clarified, «About 90 percent of the defenders are out due to injury, but this gives us the chance to test new players and confirm our choices after these two matches». He also noted that «these absences just happened to coincide with the friendly match period».

He reaffirmed, «We have a project to build a strong defense, which is why I’m experimenting with different players to find the best combination».

Regragui stressed that while «the team’s core remains stable, changes depend on player form, injuries, and decisions by the technical staff». He concluded, «Winning the Africa Cup of Nations requires talented players, passionate fans, and above all, a winning mentality that must be deeply embedded in the team—it’s essential for success».