Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing his side as they prepare to meet Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Regragui reflected on the significance of Morocco’s return to the last four, noting that reaching this stage of the competition has been a long wait for the Atlas Lions.

“We are happy to have qualified for the semi-finals,” he said. “The match will not be easy. It will be tough between the two teams.”

With the tournament now down to its final four, Regragui described the semi-final line-up as a true measure of the competition’s quality and intensity.

“The semi-finals of this edition feature the four best African teams,” he added. “That demonstrates the strength of the competition this year.”

Despite his caution, the former Morocco international made it clear that his team is driven by ambition and the desire to deliver for the home crowd. He stressed that the encounter with Nigeria must be approached with the same focus and urgency as a final.

Regragui said both the technical staff and players are fully locked in on the task ahead, determined to secure a place in the final and give Moroccan supporters something to celebrate.

The highly anticipated semi-final between Morocco and Nigeria will kick off at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday, with a spot in the 2025 AFCON final at stake.