Regragui: "Nigeria Has Not Yet Faced a Strong Opponent Like Us"

13 January 2026at12:36

Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan national team, emphasized that the anticipated match against Nigeria demands the highest levels of focus and discipline. He stressed the difficulty of the game and the strength of their opponent during a press conference held today ahead of the encounter.

Walid Regragui stated, "Ndidi's absence will help us, but when you have Osimhen, Lookman, and Iwobi, and when you see their bench, they can change their plan, although I consider it unlikely."

The national coach added, "We must focus and win duels, and not drop back as we did against Cameroon, because they can punish us. In the second half, you must raise your level so as not to let Nigeria breathe and get back into the game or maintain their technical strength."

He continued, "It will be a challenging match for both us and them, because they have not yet faced a strong opponent like us, to see what will happen."

The Moroccan national team will face their Nigerian counterparts tomorrow, Wednesday, starting at 9:00 PM, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Q&A

What is Walid Regragui's assessment of Nigeria's previous opponents?

Walid Regragui believes Nigeria has not yet encountered an opponent as strong as Morocco, suggesting the upcoming match will be a significant test for both sides.

How does Walid Regragui plan to counter Nigeria's attacking threats like Osimhen and Lookman?

Regragui stressed the need for Morocco to maintain focus, win duels, and avoid dropping back defensively, especially in the second half, to prevent Nigeria from gaining momentum.