Regragui Picks Algeria as Preferred Semi-Final Foe

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui says he would rather face Algeria than Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as the hosts await their next opponents. Morocco booked a last-four place with a calm 2-0 win over Cameroon in Rabat, with goals from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari sealing victory.

The Atlas Lions will meet the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final between Nigeria and Algeria in Marrakech. Nigeria arrive with the tournament’s strongest attack, scoring 12 goals, while Algeria boast the tightest defence, conceding only once. Despite Nigeria being tipped by many to advance, Regragui favours an Algerian showdown.

“If it’s Algeria we have to face… it will be a true historic derby, between two brotherly peoples,” he said, adding that it “would be beautiful for football… a great celebration.” Algeria hold a slight historical edge over Nigeria, including a 2019 AFCON semi-final win over rivals recently.