A title in 1818": Nicolas Pépé apologizes after mocking Morocco’s track record

The controversy flared up in a matter of hours on the web. In a filmed sequence with the influencer Just Riyad, Nicolas Pépé indulged in a risky taunt about the record of the Atlas Lions. "How many titles do they have? None... maybe one in 1818, we weren’t even born yet," said the Elephants winger. This remark immediately sparked outrage among Moroccan supporters, who are not inclined to accept this ironic rewriting of their sports history.

Faced with the storm, the 29-year-old player used his Instagram account to extinguish the fire. He explains that the video was just a day-long teasing session between friends. Pépé assures that he mentioned the difficulty of facing Morocco before launching his jab, saying he is "sorry" if his words were misinterpreted. He now pleads for appeasement and brotherhood, invoking the unity of the African continent.

This incident occurs in a particular climate between the two nations. While the sporting rivalry remains fierce on the eve of the competition, memories retain the trace of the last edition. In 2024, it was a victory for Morocco against Zambia that had allowed Côte d’Ivoire to qualify at the last minute, before the Elephants eventually won the trophy.