Walid Regragui: Morocco coach accepts Afcon 2023 favourites tag, sets minimum semis target

Morocco coach, Walid Regragui says the Atlas Lions are embracing the challenge of repeating their 2022 World Cup heroics on the African continent as they seek to end their long wait for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title.

Morocco’s only Afcon triumph came in 1976 and since then have come close just once in 2004 where they lost to hosts Tunisia.

The class of 2022 lifted high the flag of Morocco on the world stage in Qatar last year as they became the first African nation to reach the semifinals of the Mundial; a journey which saw the Atlas Lions claim the scalp of world football’s big names including Spain and Portugal.

Last Saturday, fans in Morocco got to see their heroes for the first time since their World Cup heroics in their landmark friendly victory against Brazil in Tangier.

Morocco carry on with World Cup form, beat Brazil 2-1 in friendly

Morocco’s place at Afcon 2023 is all but confirmed after South Africa’s draw with Liberia meant Walid’s charges will head to Ivory Coast either as group winners or runners-up.

The former Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) boss is confident Morocco can conquer Africa but admits there will be a lot of challengers for that honour.

The next Afcon? “Of course, we are favourites but we know Africa and it’s difficult,” Walid said.

“Before being kings of the world, you have to be king in your own country (or continent). It might be daunting but that’s what we have to do.”

#DestinationMorocco2025:

"We beat Brazil, in the middle of Ramadan, after Tarawih. It's crazy! The next AFCON? Of course we are favorites but we know Africa and it's difficult"

– Walid Regragui, Morocco coach.

.#FootyQuotes | https://t.co/cOdDhcSTGq | #DimaMaghrib pic.twitter.com/wBU3DWvFs9

— Footy-Ghana.com 🇬🇭 (@FootyGhana) March 26, 2023

“We at least have to be in the semifinal of the next Afcon (to be played in 2024). If we don’t make it to the last-4, I will leave the team,” he added.