Morocco head coach Walid Regragui says his workforce are “aiming to put in writing 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 match (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 match.
“I need to thank the gamers and the followers,” he stated. “It really felt like we have been enjoying with 12 gamers on the pitch.
“Qualifying for the semi-finals is effectively deserved, and the gamers earned it. Our gamers gave all the things, and once they keep targeted, issues go effectively. I’m very pleased with what they confirmed.
“We should stay humble as a result of each workforce needs 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 put in writing historical past.”
For Cameroon, in the meantime, it was a disappointing end to AFCON, they usually have now misplaced two of their final three knockout matches on the match (W1), as many as of their earlier 9 (W4 D3).
They solely managed 5 pictures within the sport, with none of these testing Yassine Bounou, as they accrued simply 0.4 anticipated objectives (xG).
Cameroon have additionally conceded no less than 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 workforce as he believes there are positives to construct on.
“I’m happy with my gamers. We competed effectively in opposition to Morocco, and we depart the match with our heads held excessive,” he stated.
“We confronted some difficulties, however we got here again effectively within the second half. The second purpose we conceded determined the match.
“General, I’m glad with the efficiency. We now 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. We now have discovered many classes and depart the match with loads of positives.”
