Morocco Coach Denies Refereeing Advantage Ahead of Semi-Final with Nigeria

Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui has firmly dismissed accusations that his team is benefiting from favorable refereeing decisions as host of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The remarks come before Morocco’s semi-final match against Nigeria on Wednesday in Rabat, following scrutiny of their quarter-final victory over Cameroon. During that match, Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida was criticized for not awarding Cameroon two penalty claims involving Moroccan defender Adam Masina.

“Many people want to believe or make others believe that we have advantages from the referees,” Regragui stated. “The only advantage that Morocco has at this Africa Cup is playing in front of 65,000 spectators. The rest is on the field.”

Morocco has played all its matches at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which will also host the final. Both Nigeria and Morocco are unbeaten in the tournament so far.

This will be the first AFCON meeting between the two sides in 22 years. Their only previous semi-final encounter was in 1980, which Nigeria won 1–0 en route to claiming its first title.