“All that matters is winning," says Morocco's Walid Regragui ahead of AFCON semi-final with Nigeria

While Morocco have just one AFCON title from back in 1976, and are playing in their first AFCON semi in 22 years, Nigeria are three-time AFCON winners, last winning the continental tournament in 2023, having made it to the semi-finals 16 previous times.

As the host nation, Regragui knows his team are under pressure to secure their place in the final, despite only making it as far as the round of 16 in the 2023 edition of the competition.

Speaking ahead of the clash, to be played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Regragui told reporters his side is "mentally, physically, and technically" ready to achieve their "collective goal" to win AFCON.

He said on Flash Score: "It has been a very long time since Morocco participated in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final. So, we are already very happy.

"This is Nigeria's 17th semi-final, which shows their strength and consistency. It's good for African football, and we hope to live up to the spectacle.

“All that matters to us is winning. Wednesday's match is one of the most important in our history since the World Cup semi-final in Qatar in 2022. At the World Cup, it was a surprise; here, we are where we belong.”