Yassine Bounou soaked in the roar of a grateful home crowd after producing a match-winning display to steer Morocco into the Africa Cup of Nations final, describing the occasion as “wonderful” and crediting the collective spirit of the team.
Named Man of the Match, the goalkeeper admitted the semi-final was far from straightforward, praising Nigeria for pushing the Atlas Lions to their limits. “It was not an easy game at all. The opponent delivered a very strong performance,” Yassine Bounou said. “But the players did what was required, and the atmosphere was magical. I thank all the fans who supported us.”
Yassine Bounou also paid tribute to head coach Walid Regragui for his meticulous preparation, insisting the tactical clarity helped Morocco navigate a tense contest that stretched bodies and nerves. “The coach prepared us very well for this match, and I thank all my teammates. Our people love this team, and that gives us extra motivation to repay their trust,” he added. “Now we focus on recovery, prepare for the final, and give our fans what they deserve.”
Regragui echoed those sentiments, saluting both the resilience of his players and the emotional backing from supporters across the country. The coach revealed that messages of encouragement before the match had left a deep impression on the squad. “They were very touching and had a big impact on us. We are very proud of the players, and the Moroccan fans truly deserve this achievement,” he said.
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The Morocco boss admitted his side had to dig deep to survive a draining encounter that went into extra time. “We suffered a lot. Reaching the AFCON final on home soil is a beautiful gift, but the match consumed a lot of energy. Now we must think about recovery very quickly because the effort was huge.”
In a gracious closing note, Regragui congratulated Nigeria and head coach Eric Chelle for their tournament, acknowledging the quality of the opposition in a hard-fought semi-final. “I congratulate the Nigerian team and their coach for the great work they have done. And I congratulate our players and fans too, we all fought together, without exception,” he said.
Morocco will now turn their attention to the final, buoyed by belief, home support, and a goalkeeper in imperious form.
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