Memory Sparks Morocco: Regragui’s 2004 Moment Ahead of Mali Clash

Memory fuels Morocco ahead of Mali clash

He stressed the importance of winning the continental title.

Walid Regragui, Morocco's coach, draws on a memorable memory before the crucial clash with Mali tomorrow at Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the second group-stage match of AFCON.

The memory recalls the time he faced the same opponent as a player in AFCON in Tunisia in 2004, in the semifinal.

Morocco won that match 4-0 and reached the final, which they lost to Tunisia.

Regragui told Moroccan TV that he beat Mali as a player in CAN, and now will face them as coach, hoping to be the first Moroccan to beat them in the tournament as both.

He added that while numbers may not mean much unless we win AFCON, they carry personal meaning as this continental celebration ends and Morocco is crowned.

And may the ball bounce kindly.

Punchline 1: If coaching were stand-up, Regragui would headline—his memory always saves the best moment for the last minute.

Punchline 2: May the ball behave; if not, blame Mali’s defense—it's used to getting roasted by history.