Walid Regragui emerges as a continental hero, his distinctive beard and smooth pate immortalized in a sculpture displayed at an art market in San-Pedro, the base for Regragui’s Morocco during the initial phase of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. This representation symbolizes the profound impact he has made in a relatively short time.
Recognized for his role as a trailblazer in achieving unprecedented regional success, Regragui made history as the first coach to guide an African or Arab team to the semi-final stage of the last World Cup. Now, starting Wednesday, he aims to complete a personal trilogy by securing an Afcon title to add to the African Champions Cup won with Wydad of Casablanca just months before taking on the challenge of leading the national team to Qatar 2022.
In many aspects, the Afcon target appears to be the most challenging of the three. Morocco has historically underperformed at this event, with their sole triumph dating back to 1976. Regragui and his coaching staff present this as a personal challenge to the players, emphasizing the need to overcome past mistakes and disappointments.
The coaching staff, including Regragui, Gharib Amzine, and Rachid Benmahmoud, have collectively experienced setbacks at previous Afcon tournaments and are determined not to see history repeat itself. The team’s captain, Romain Saiss, who led them to the quarter-final defeat in the previous Afcon, stresses the unique demands of this competition, emphasizing the importance of mental and physical resilience.
While Regragui’s success is attributed to his sound tactical vision, diplomatic skills played a crucial role in bringing key players like Hakim Ziyech back into the squad. However, challenges persist, with club matters often intruding, as seen in the case of Noussair Mazraoui’s injury and the public lobbying from his club coach.
As Morocco embarks on the Afcon journey, the team faces potential distractions from club football, with players like Azzedine Ounahi and the need for fresh sources of creativity. The squad, which excelled in patience and resilience in Qatar, now must shift focus to a more proactive approach against teams like Tanzania, the lowest-ranked at Afcon, and Group F’s DR Congo and Zambia.
Players like Marseille’s Amine Harit, who missed the World Cup due to injury, Bilal El Khannous, the teenage sensation from the under-23 Afcon title, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Amine Adli, who chose Morocco over France, bring fresh energy and talent to the squad. Despite personal challenges, like Adli losing his mother just before Afcon, Regragui commends the players’ commitment and positive spirit.
As Regragui and his team embark on the Afcon journey, the sculpted image in San-Pedro stands as a testament to the heroics and challenges faced in pursuit of further glory on the African stage.
