Embracing the Challenge: Moroccan Manager Walid Regragui Looks Forward to AFCON After World Cup Triumph

More than a year after their remarkable performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the spotlight continues to shine on Morocco's national football team and their head coach, Walid Regragui. Adding to the excitement, they are considered one of the top contenders to win the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) starting on January 13.

Regragui, 48, previously played for the national team from 2001 to 2009, notably during Morocco's last AFCON semifinal appearance in 2004. As a manager, he now aims to lead the team to their first AFCON title in 48 years.

Regragui was appointed head coach only three months before the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He went on to lead Morocco to a remarkable fourth-place finish, earning him the status of a national hero.

Last November, CNN's Larry Madowo interviewed Regragui during a training session at the Mohamed VI Football Complex in Rabat. They discussed the challenge of managing expectations for AFCON while maintaining ambitious goals.

The following interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

Larry Madowo, CNN: Which one did you enjoy more: playing or coaching?

Walid Regragui: Playing, certainly. This is the message I consistently convey to my players. Being a young professional footballer is, to me, the greatest job in the world, especially when you have the opportunity to represent your country. Sadly, we only come to appreciate this at the end of our careers. As for coaching? Well, that's a whole different ball game.

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) showcases the best players in African men's football. As it approaches its 34th edition in Ivory Coast, take a look at some of the most unforgettable moments from the competition in the photo gallery. One such moment captured is Cameroon's players celebrating their victory in 2017.

The first tournament in 1957 had only three teams (Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan), but by the 12th edition in Nigeria in 1980, the competition had expanded to eight teams. Christian Chukwu, the team captain, is seen in the picture holding the trophy as the hosts secured their first AFCON title in impressive fashion with a 3-0 victory over Algeria.

Peter Robinson/EMPICS/Getty Images

In 1982, Libya's hopes of hosting the tournament were dashed when they suffered a heartbreaking loss in the finals. Despite reaching the final in Tripoli, the Mediterranean Knights lost 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Ghana. Since then, they have not made it to the tournament's final four.

In 1984, Cameroon's Francois N'doumbe skillfully evaded a strong challenge from Pascal Miezen, midfielder for the host team Ivory Coast. N'doumbe and the Indomitable Lions certainly lived up to their nickname during the tournament, as they sent the hosts packing in the group stage before defeating Nigeria 3-1 in the final to secure their first of five AFCON titles.

David Cannon/Allsport/Getty Image

South Africa was not initially chosen to host AFCON 1996, and certainly not expected to win it. However, after Kenya was unable to fulfill their hosting duties, "Bafana Bafana," as the national team is known, had a miraculous journey that led them to the final against Tunisia in front of 80,000 spectators at Soccer City, Johannesburg.

Mark Williams' second-half double led South Africa to a memorable 2-0 victory in the 1996 final. This historic win allowed captain Neil Hovey to lift the country's only AFCON trophy to date, as shown in this photo alongside dignitaries including President Nelson Mandela. The triumph came just eight months after South Africa's legendary Rugby World Cup win on home soil, solidifying another iconic sporting achievement for post-apartheid South Africa.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

South Africa was on the verge of defending its title in Burkina Faso two years later, but ultimately lost 2-0 in the final to Egypt, who secured their fourth AFCON title.

The 2000 AFCON was a historic event as it was the first time that the tournament was hosted by two countries, Nigeria and Ghana. During a group match against Togo, Ghana was seen warming up but unfortunately, they were knocked out in the quarter finals by South Africa, who were then defeated by Nigeria in the semi-finals.

John Sibley/Action Images/Reuters

Samuel Eto'o is often celebrated as Cameroon's - and perhaps even Africa's - best player, but his strike partner Patrick M'Boma, seen in the image, played a crucial role in the country's thrilling victory over Nigeria in 2000. While both players scored in the 2-2 draw, it was M'Boma who stayed on the field after Eto'o was substituted and scored the first penalty in a 4-3 shootout win. As a result, M'Boma was honored as African Footballer of the Year.

Eric Renard/Icon Sport/Getty Images

After winning one of the most memorable penalty shootouts in the competition's history at the 2006 AFCON quarter-final stage, defeating Cameroon in a thrilling 12-11 battle, Ivory Coast suffered defeat in the final. The Elephants were defeated 4-2 on penalties by Egypt after a goalless draw, allowing the hosts to secure their fifth AFCON victory.

Christian Liewig/Corbis/Getty Images

In 2007, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba was in the spotlight for a different reason, as he played a role in ending Ivory Coast's civil war. Following his goal in a 5-0 win over Madagascar, Drogba was escorted off the pitch by Ivorian rebel soldiers in Bouake, where the rebellion originated, showcasing his unifying impact.

The atmosphere in Ghana was electric after a dramatic late goal from striker Manuel Agogo secured the hosts a spot in the semi-final in 2008. However, their hopes were dashed when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon, preventing the Black Stars from achieving their dream of a third AFCON win on their home turf.

Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images

Tragedy struck the lead up to AFCON 2010 in Angola as the Togo team's bus was attacked by terrorists, resulting in three deaths and at least seven injuries. Despite the players' desire to continue, the Togolese government withdrew the team, leading to a two-tournament suspension from The Confederation of African Football (CAF). However, the ban was later lifted after Togo appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Following two previous heart-breaking final losses, Zambia finally secured their maiden AFCON title in a fairytale manner at the 2012 tournament in Gabon. They emerged victorious against Ivory Coast in an intense penalty shoot-out in Libreville. Head coach Herve Renard dedicated the historic triumph to the victims of the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of the team's coach and 18 squad members shortly after departing from Libreville in 1993.

Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Cameroonian players prepared for their 2017 final against Egypt in Libreville by warming up. Despite eight star players rejecting Belgian coach Hugo Broos' call-up for the tournament, the Indomitable Lions defied the odds. Vincent Aboubakar's late winning goal secured a 2-1 comeback victory and their fifth AFCON title.

Algeria's second-ever AFCON win in 2019 was celebrated by Yacine Brahimi and his teammates. Baghdad Bounedjah's early deflected goal, which was Algeria's only shot of the game, secured a 1-0 victory over Senegal in Cairo, Egypt.

Suhaib Salem/Reuters

Senegal successfully redeemed themselves from the painful loss in the pandemic-delayed 2022 tournament in Cameroon by defeating Egypt on penalties after a goalless draw. As a result, they proudly paraded their first ever AFCON trophy through the streets of Dakar.

Africa Cup of Nations: Photos show the tournament through the years

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LM: What made you decide or agree to come back to support the Moroccan national team?

RWR: I didn't plan for it to happen; it just did. After winning the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League with Wydad AC, my aim was to compete in the Club World Cup and to one day coach in Europe. The national team was something I had in mind for the future.

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The federation made the decision to change coaches. Many considered it an easy challenge, but it was not. It took a crazy coach like me to accept the job just three months before the World Cup. No European coach would have taken on the national team, and I doubt any local coach would have dared to take on the challenge.

LM: Looking back at the World Cup, did you anticipate the team would go as far as it did?

We never imagined making it to the semi-final or winning the World Cup. Our initial goal was to at least equal our elders' achievement in 1986 by bringing Morocco back to the Round of 16. However, we dared to dream of delivering a remarkable performance.

Walid Regragui, head coach of Morocco's national football team, instructs his players from the touchline in Qatar during a FIFA World Cup match in November 2022.

Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

When I took office, it really had an impact on the players. We had ambitious goals and after making it through the first round, we believed we could do even better and possibly even win the World Cup. In the World Cup in Qatar, many African players were being coached by homegrown coaches for the first time. Do you think this reflects the high quality of coaching coming from Africa?

WR: That's an excellent question with multiple potential answers. Have African coaches finally been given the opportunities they deserve, or have African leaders recognized the talent that has always existed within their own countries? The quality of these coaches has always been present. Chiamaka Nnadozie's father initially opposed her playing soccer, but the Nigerian star defied him and went on to rewrite the record books.

Today in Africa, we have reached a turning point where we no longer believe that we need foreign coaches to succeed. We have proved that our teams can achieve high levels of success, as demonstrated by myself, Aliou Cissé of Senegal, and other coaches. I am confident that the upcoming World Cup in Qatar will mark a significant shift in our approach to the game.

LM: Reflecting on the quarterfinal game against Portugal, what was going through your mind and what significance did that victory hold for you and Morocco?

As a staff, our goal was to understand the reason behind the barrier that prevented African countries from reaching the semi-finals. Perhaps it was a mental block. Despite facing Portugal, one of the best teams with Cristiano Ronaldo, we were prepared and the players proved their capabilities on the field. This boosted their confidence and showed that Morocco and Africa were capable, providing them with the opportunity to seize the moment.

Regragui, center, applauds supporters after the team's 0-2 defeat to France in the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on December 14, 2022.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

LM: Morocco has not won the Africa Cup of Nations since 1976. How do you think youll do in the competition?

We are driven by important objectives. At the Mohamed VI Football Complex, there is a photo of the national team, the last champions of the African Cup in 1976. Every day, as the players come here, they draw inspiration from that photo. As a coach, my aim is not to replace it, but to add a new photo of the future champions.

LM: You received the prestigious "Coach of the Year" award for Africa at the Confederation of African Football awards last December. How does this accomplishment resonate with you?

WR: Awards and recognition are not my main focus. My primary interest lies in my team and their success.

It is uplifting to see Africans being recognized and receiving individual trophies such as CAF, Ballon d'Or, or FIFA Awards. This not only highlights the talent within the continent but also contributes to the growth of Moroccan football.