Following the unprecedented rise of the Moroccan national team in world football, head coach Walid Regragui has told his players they must “become African soccer kings” before they can dream of being world kings.
The Atlas Lions which made history as the first African team to reach the semi finals of a FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year, and defeated Brazil 2-1 in a friendly match played on Saturday, have only won the African Nations Cup on only one occasion and Regragui believes the team has to make its mark on the continent by winning the AFCON trophy next year in Ivory Coast.
Regragui who spoke to journalists after the Atlas Lions sealed its spot for next year’s tournament, said the players must win the trophy they last won in 1976 before they can think of conquering the world.
“I told my players that we cannot be kings of the world before being kings of our continent,” Regragui said.
“You know it means a lot for us to beat Brazil, the top team in the Fifa ranking, and the country of football.”
“This is the month of Ramadan, we have to go and pray Tarawih to confirm if it’s true or not.
“Now we are going to celebrate but it’s a long way to go. We must not get on fire.”
“When I say we must win the African Cup, they say that I am exaggerating.”
“I must be careful, so I say we are not going to play for a win but we only play for happiness,” the coach said.