By our reporter 12.1.2026
Morocco’s Atlas Lions coach Walid Regragui has dismissed claims his team has been favoured by referees ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles Wednesday in Rabat.
The Atlas Lions brushed aside Cameroon 2-0 in the quarterfinal and decisions made in that game by the referee sent tongues wagging. Cameroon had two penalty shouts dismissed by referee Dahane Beida. Also, Bilal El Khannouss was not given a second yellow card for stopping a counterattack.
Morocco has faced similar penalty controversies in earlier games against Mali and Tanzania.
But Regraui who led his team to the semi-final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and have booked their place in the 2026 edition argued that his team’s only favour comes from the home crowd.
“We are the team to beat. People will always say Morocco has an advantage. The only advantage we have is playing in front of 65,000 fans. Everything else happens on the field.”
“Statistics show we are better than our opponents.
We create more chances, and no goals were wrongly disallowed. Some people just look for excuses. The best team will win this tournament, inshallah.”
Morocco will come against the rampaging Super Eagles at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where they have played all their matches and the huge home crowd form an intimidating wall against visiting teams.