Regragui: "Diaz Is Very Effective Today; If He Maintains This Level and Wins AFCON, I'll Be the Happiest Coach"

Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan national team, lauded Brahim Diaz's performance, affirming that the player has become highly effective and is now providing the expected contribution.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash against Tanzania, Regragui stated: "Diaz is very effective today; we have brought him to where we wanted him to be. When he arrived in March, I remember there was a match against Angola and the famous match against Mauritania. He needed some time to adapt to this team and to African football." He continued: "We worked a lot with him; I traveled frequently to Madrid to create video clips for him and to make him understand that the style of play here is completely different from Europe, and to help him adapt."

Regragui added: "Today, Diaz is very close to the penalty area, he rotates the ball better, and has become more dynamic and natural. When we have this Brahim, he is effective. We know his playing style and skills, and he plays for Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in the world, so we know what is expected of him."

Regragui also spoke about player independence and the importance of diversifying sources of danger within the team, saying: "As for independence for Brahim, Ayoub El Kaabi has also scored 3 goals, and I said before that danger can come from anywhere. Before this AFCON, Saibari was effective, as were other players like Rahimi and Khannouss. What matters to me is not the number of goals our players score, but that danger can come from anywhere."

Regragui concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of relying on Diaz as part of the collective team: "Now, if Brahim continues at this level, and we rely on him, and we achieve the AFCON title, I will be the happiest coach in the world. What matters to me is the group, and Diaz is part of this team, and we need an effective Brahim, and when he is effective, he is beneficial to the team."