Morocco reach AFCON semi-finals for first time since 2004 after a 2-0 win over Cameroon, with coach Regragui calling it a historic achievement

Morocco have reached the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2004, following a 2-0 quarter-final victory over Cameroon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

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Coach Walid Regragui described the achievement as “historic” but urged his side to remain focused.

“We need to just keep going one game at a time. We have not done anything yet,” he said after the Atlas Lions secured the win through goals from Brahim Diaz in the 26th minute and Ismael Saibari either side of half-time.

Regragui praised Morocco’s first-half performance as the team’s best since the 2022 World Cup, highlighting their pressing, intensity, and control of the game.

He also hailed Diaz, the Real Madrid winger, for his consistent scoring, noting that the striker now has five goals in five games in the tournament.

“He is the X factor of my team. He has been amazing, scoring in every game,” Regragui said.

Morocco’s progress marks a 22-year wait for a semi-final appearance in the AFCON, a feat last achieved when Regragui was a player in the 2004 squad that lost the final to Tunisia.

“It is historic. Moroccans have not seen their team in the semi-finals of an AFCON for 22 years. They deserve it but we need to keep our feet on the ground and make it even more historic,” he added.

Cameroon’s coach, David Pagou, expressed pride in his side despite the defeat. “We are satisfied with the boys because they have given a lot of emotions to the Cameroonian people and that was the aim. We wanted to go as far as possible, but this is a team that is progressing,” he said.

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Morocco will face Nigeria in the semi-finals on Wednesday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 9 pm.