DR ‹ › Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui said on Thursday that Friday's quarter-final clash between Morocco and Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will be «a true battle between two great national teams». «This is a continental heavyweight clash. Whether at AFCON or at the World Cup, Cameroon have always been a major football nation that has carried African football», Regragui said during the pre-match press conference. «We hope to present a strong image of African football». «At this stage of the competition, confidence and mentality are crucial. The slightest mistake can be very costly», he warned, stressing that the battle in midfield would be decisive. Regragui also noted that Morocco have won their most recent matches against Cameroon. «As a player, I always had good results against Cameroon», he recalled, adding that the Indomitable Lions are highly motivated to go far in the tournament following their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On another note, the national coach acknowledged that pressure remains ever-present. «The players feel it, and we have to live up to expectations. What matters most is that the fans continue to support us. We have the humility to believe that we can win this AFCON», he said. «We remain in the same mindset and confident in what we are doing», Regragui added, underlining that mentality would be a key factor. He also praised the quality of Morocco's midfield, citing Bilal El Khannous, Ismael Saibari, and Neil El Aynaoui. Regarding the squad's medical situation, Regragui announced that striker Hamza Igamane has recovered from injury and is now fully fit. As for Sofyan Amrabat, the coach said the midfielder is still struggling with an ankle injury, noting that «the medical staff are doing everything possible to get him back as soon as possible». Speaking to the press, Igamane said the match against Cameroon «will not be easy». «I thank the national team's medical staff for helping me recover. I'm 100 percent fit and at the coach's disposal. We are one team. Whether I start or not doesn't matter, the most important thing is reaching the semi-finals», he said. The Morocco–Cameroon quarter-final will be played on Friday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time.
