Regragui: El Aynaoui a 'Gift from Heaven,' Grateful I Never Gave Up on Convincing Him

Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui praised player Naël El Aynaoui during the press conference following their qualification for the final, emphasizing his significant importance to the team and his promising future with the Atlas Lions.

Walid Regragui stated: "El Aynaoui? It's amazing that we have a player like him back. He is an incredible player in his upbringing and his harmony."

The Atlas Lions coach continued: "Tactically, he is a very intelligent player and he won't stop there. Our story with Naël spanned two years, 'Will he come or not?' We were between two options, and I struggled with myself. Thank God I remained calm with this personality, which I don't want to describe so as not to say anything bad."

He added: "Thank God I didn't close the door on El Aynaoui and didn't back down. I convinced him to join us because he is an important piece that fell to us from heaven, especially since he is still young and has 8 years ahead of him to play for the national team."

Regragui concluded his statement by saying: "We saw what he did against Nigeria, even though he played every minute of the competition. Like father, like son. I remember his father's match against Rudich, so he has the same spirit. Congratulations to him."

The Moroccan national team will face their Senegalese counterparts next Sunday in the Africa Cup of Nations final, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, in a highly anticipated clash promising great rivalry and excitement between the continent's giants.