Regragui: "When We Qualified for the Final, We Saw Hakimi and Diaz's Tears, Which Shows the Immense Pressure on the Players" - Elbotola
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Regragui: "When We Qualified for the Final, We Saw Hakimi and Diaz's Tears, Which Shows the Immense Pressure on the Players"

Regragui: "When We Qualified for the Final, We Saw Hakimi and Diaz's Tears, Which Shows the Immense Pressure on the Players"

17 January 2026at12:17

Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui discussed the crucial role the fans will play in the Africa Cup of Nations "Morocco 2025" final against Senegal.

Speaking at the pre-final press conference, Regragui stated, "I thank these fans and this nation who love football. They are an exceptional crowd, and we are aware of the responsibility we carry."

He added, "When we qualified for the final, we saw the tears of players like Hakimi and Diaz, and from this, we observe the immense pressure on the players."

Regarding his message to the players, he continued, "We must not say: 'It's either win today or never.' If we think in this wrong way, we will not win tomorrow. We must say we will win tomorrow and later as well."

He concluded by saying, "We will play the final match for 90 minutes... We will not play it before or after the 90 minutes."

Why did Hakimi and Diaz show emotion after qualifying for the AFCON final?

Coach Walid Regragui noted Hakimi and Diaz's tears upon reaching the AFCON 2025 final, interpreting it as a clear sign of the immense pressure and responsibility players feel representing their nation.

What is Walid Regragui's strategy for managing player pressure in the AFCON 2025 final?

Walid Regragui advises his Morocco squad against an "all-or-nothing" mentality for the AFCON 2025 final, stressing the importance of focusing on the 90 minutes and a sustained winning mindset.
Morocco
Senegal
CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Walid Regragui

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