After beating Nigeria to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil, Morocco coach Walid Regragui shifted focus to the final against Senegal, saying it will be a superb match-up when they face off on Sunday.
Morocco edged out Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 semi-final contest at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved two penalties as the Atlas Lions booked their place in the final for the first time since 2004.
Bounou, who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, produced decisive saves to deny Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi and propel the Atlas Lions one step closer to continental glory.
Youssef En-Nesyri took the decisive kick for Morocco after Bounou had stopped Onyemaechi’s effort. Neil El Aynaoui and Paul Onuachu converted the first penalties for Morocco and Nigeria, respectively, before Stanley Nwabali saved Hamza Igamane’s effort to give Nigeria the upper hand.
Speaking after the game, Regragui touched on the final meeting against the Teranga Lions, who reached the stage after defeating Egypt 1-0 in their other semi-final fixture at the Grand Stade of Tangier.
“It’s a superb final with the best African teams of the last three years. A fantastic team and a golden people, brothers of Morocco. It’s a superb match-up,” said Regragui.
“We have three days to recover. It’s a fifty-fifty tie. It’s the first time we’ve faced them in a final.”
Regragui also reflected on the semi-final clash.
“They (Nigeria) are an athletic team; they ran a lot. But they had two shots, one of which was on target. It just goes to show we’ve been talking about the defence for three years now.”
He added: “We closed down the angles of positioning, the transitions. It was tough, I won’t lie. What interests me is self-esteem. It can be perceived as arrogance. I don’t expect people to give me anything.
“No one can erase what I’ve done before. The most important thing is that Morocco is in the final. I need to focus on bringing it home together.
“We’re preparing for Sunday starting Thursday. Well done to the medical staff who never stop. Today is a victory for everyone. Recovery will begin so that we are ready mentally and physically.”
Regragui, however, admitted Morocco must improve in some areas if they are to be crowned AFCON champions on Sunday.
“We came up against a very solid team. We still have room for improvement. We have a fighting spirit, a desire to play for the jersey. It has always been my objective to instill that. We need to change our DNA. We need to get used to playing in the semi-finals. The more consistent we are, the more titles we can win.”
The final against Senegal will be played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday.
