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AFCON 2023-Walid Regragui: "If we don't reach the semi-finals, I'll leave"

Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui waves to fans at the end of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. France won 2-0 and will play Argentina in Sunday's final. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Walid Regragui (in suit) says he is satisfied with Morocco's performance at the World Cup 2022.Walid Regragui

Walid Regragui has great ambitions for Morocco and his road map can be attested following a sensational path to the last four of the Qatar World Cup. Morocco's head coach, who was the man behind this football revolution is now hoping to translate their world exploits to the Africa Cup of Nations. A threshold will be the semi-finals of the AFCON 2023 to be held in Côte d'Ivoire. Any other result except to integrate the four Aces will be a failure. If necessary, he would resign as coach.

Having become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, Morocco is on a good momentum and they even have big ambitions in Africa. Interviewed by Moroccan media and reported by Footmercato, Walid Regragui, coach of the Atlas Lions, did not hide his ambitions for a continental glory. For him, Morocco must be among the 4 best teams at this continental event.

"In a year, we have a continental competition, we want to represent Morocco as high as possible. We know that soccer has no memory, so we will have to move forward,"
he said. "We want to maintain the same level and progress to the best. That's why this winning mindset must be maintained," said the Moroccan coach.

By pinning down world soccer's top teams such as Belgium, Spain and Portugal, there is plenty of room to grow. And Walid Regragui raises the bar a little higher. "We must first remain among the top four teams on the continent. At my level, I want to reach at least the semi-finals of the next CAN, if I do not succeed then I will leave. And the new coach of the team will have to continue in the same state of mind, that is to say, aim for the semi-finals or finals, that's how Morocco will progress", Regragui bet.


"Moroccan soccer is now part of the world piece"

Walid Regragui also took the opportunity to establish the new selection standards. He believes that the players will have to be very good to claim a place in the national team. "Moroccan soccer is now part of the world gotha is an honor for the Kingdom. We have players in the lead, but we also have a group of high level. To integrate it, it will be necessary to be also at the high level. To show that you deserve to wear the national team jersey, that's the message I want to send to everyone. You have to be regular, a starter for your club or fight to be a starter, and thus integrate the fourth team of the world", said the 47-year-old coach.

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