Regragui: 'If You Want Your Country to Lose Because Your Player Isn't Playing, You're Sick – I Can't Cure That'

Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan national team, stated that he understands the mindset of a segment of fans he described as "sick," due to their preference for seeing their national team lose if their favorite players are not on the pitch.

Speaking at a press conference held today, Friday, to announce the squad for the friendly matches against Mozambique and Uganda, Regragui said: "I am not a psychologist, but I know how you (the fans) think. You say, 'No, we won't win it (the Africa Cup), something will happen to us.' If you say that, you are sick; get rid of this mentality."

He continued: "We must adopt a mindset similar to the one we had when we went to Qatar, and also like what happened with the Moroccan U20 national team. Football is simple; only one team will win it. There are 23 teams that will participate and ultimately feel disappointed. You either want to be a team that avoids that disappointment, and I believe, God willing, we will not be among them."

Regragui added: "I made a mistake when I spoke about 'intention,' because people started claiming that intention alone is what brings me victory. Whether you like it or not, you must invoke God's name and have a sincere reason in your heart, and God will make things easy for you."

"If you want your country to lose because your preferred player isn't on the field, then you are sick, and I cannot cure that," Regragui stated. "I will, however, 'cure' the 90% of people who pray for us, both adults and children."

He concluded: "God willing, Morocco will win, and we will show the world and Africa that Morocco is at a high level, both in terms of organization and stadiums. If we all unite, we will achieve something significant."