Morocco ´aiming to write history´ after reaching AFCON semis, says Regragui

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui says his staff are “aiming to jot down historical past” after reaching the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the primary time since 2004.

The hosts secured their place within the last 4 after a 2-0 win over Cameroon, with Brahim Diaz scoring but once more earlier than Ismael Saimari secured the win within the second half.

The final time Morocco reached the semi-finals, 12 years in the past, they went on to lose to Tunisia within the showpiece, with their solely triumph on the AFCON coming again in 1976.

And, Morocco have gained 4 of their 5 matches on the event (D1), their joint-highest tally in a single version of the AFCON (additionally in 2004 and 1976).

The Atlas Lions will face both Algeria or Nigeria within the semis, and Regragui has excessive aspirations for the remainder of the event.

“I wish to thank the gamers and the followers,” he stated. “It actually felt like we have been enjoying with 12 gamers on the pitch.

“Qualifying for the semi-finals is nicely deserved, and the gamers earned it. Our gamers gave the whole lot, and after they keep targeted, issues go nicely. I’m very proud of what they confirmed.

“We should stay humble as a result of each staff desires to beat us, and we should respect all our opponents. Since 2004, Morocco had not reached the semi-finals, and now we’re aiming to jot down historical past.”

For Cameroon, in the meantime, it was a disappointing end to AFCON, and so they have now misplaced two of their final three knockout matches on the event (W1), as many as of their earlier 9 (W4 D3).

They solely managed 5 pictures within the recreation, with none of these testing Yassine Bounou, as they gathered simply 0.4 anticipated objectives (xG).

Cameroon have additionally conceded a minimum of one purpose in every of their final 4 AFCON knockout video games (eight objectives in complete), their longest such run within the competitors.

However head coach David Pagou remained optimistic for the way forward for the staff as he believes there are positives to construct on.

“I’m happy with my gamers. We competed nicely towards Morocco, and we go away the event with our heads held excessive,” he stated.

“We confronted some difficulties, however we got here again nicely within the second half. The second purpose we conceded determined the match.

“Total, I’m happy with the efficiency. Now we have a younger and new squad, and the gamers deserve credit score for his or her efforts for the Cameroonian folks.

“There’s a brilliant future for our younger gamers, lots of whom are enjoying in continental competitors for the primary time. Now we have discovered many classes and go away the event with lots of positives.”