Regragui faces Cameroon: "Today, they have everything to lose

For the Moroccan coach, the match-up is clear: "It’s a continental clash." Facing a Cameroonian team he describes as a "great nation," the ambition remains unchanged: to reach the semi-finals at home. "The slightest mistake will be punished immediately. It will be a great battle," warned Regragui, stressing the need for total concentration.

The major news concerns the health of the key players. While Hamza Igamane is declared fit and "returning at 100%," uncertainty still hangs over Sofyan Amrabat. The midfielder is suffering from an ankle injury and is not at full capacity. "We’ll see if he can come on at the end of the match," the coach specified. As for captain Romain Saïss, he is still in the convalescence phase.

There is no question of disrupting the plans. "Changing now would be to show that we are afraid," Regragui said firmly. He maintains his trust in his midfield, particularly in Bilal El Khannouss, from whom he expects a lot, as well as Ismaël Saibari and Neil El Aynaoui.

On the right flank, the game will once again rely on Achraf Hakimi, whom his coach describes as the "best African player." "Even though he had a very good match [against Tanzania], we haven’t seen the best of him yet," the coach promises.

The end of the "bogey team"?

When questioned about Morocco’s difficult history against Cameroon, Regragui brushed aside superstition. "The past is the past," he hammered, recalling Morocco’s last victory and his own success against this opponent as a player.

However, he points out a difference in pressure: while Morocco is preparing for the World Cup this summer, Cameroon, absent from the next global event, is playing for all the marbles. "Today, they have everything to lose [...] This AFCON is one of humility. Cameroon is worth Morocco, and Morocco is worth Cameroon," he concluded.