Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged the hero as the Atlas Lions booked their place in the final for the first time in 21 years, edging out Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 semi-final contest in Rabat on Wednesday at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Bounou, who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, produced decisive saves to deny Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi and propel the Atlas Lions one step closer to continental glory.
Youssef En-Nesyri took the decisive kick for Morocco after Bounou had stopped Onyemaechi’s effort. Neil El Aynaoui and Paul Onuachu converted the first penalties for Morocco and Nigeria, respectively, before Stanley Nwabali saved Hamza Igamane’s effort, to give Nigeria the upper hand.
However, Bounou stepped up to deny Chukwueze, before Eliesse Ben Seghir and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored for either side. Achraf Hakimi then stepped up to make it 3-2. Bounou then turned the hero after he saved Onyemaechi’s kick.
En-Nesyri was left with the honours of taking Morocco to the final, and he did it with a superbly taken penalty sending Nwabali the wrong way.
Speaking after the game, Regragui touched on their final meeting against the Lions of Teranga, who reached the stage after defeating Egypt 1-0 in their other quarter-final fixture at the Grand Stade of Tangier.
‘It’s a superb match-up’
“It’s a superb final with the best African teams of the last three years. A fantastic team and a golden people, brothers of Morocco. It’s a superb match-up,” said Regragui.
“We have three days to recover. It's a fifth-to-fifth tie. It's the first time we've faced them in a final.”
Discussing their victory against Nigeria, he said: “They’re an athletic team, they ran a lot. But they had two shots, one of which was on target. It just goes to show, we've been talking about the defense for three years now.”
He added: “We closed down the angles of positioning, the transitions. It was tough, I won’t lie. What interests me is self-esteem. It can be perceived as arrogance. I don’t expect people to give me anything.
“No one can erase what I’ve done before. The most important thing is that Morocco is in the final. I need to focus on bringing it home together.”
Regragui continued: “What matters to us is celebrating tonight, but we’re preparing for Sunday starting tomorrow. Well done to the medical staff who never stop. Today is a victory for everyone. Recovery will begin so that we are ready mentally and physically.”
Regragui, however, admitted Morocco must improve in some areas if they are to be crowned AFCON champions on Sunday.
“We came up against a very solid team. We still have room for improvement. We have a fighting spirit, a desire to play for the jersey. It has always been my objective to instill that,” explained Regragui.
He concluded: “We need to change our DNA. We need to get used to playing in the semifinals. The more consistent we are, the more titles we can win.”
The final against the Super Eagles will be played at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, in Rabat, on Sunday.
