Morocco’s national football team, known as the Atlas Lions, secured their place in the semifinals of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 2-0 victory over Cameroon. Despite their success, the match has sparked controversy, particularly concerning refereeing decisions.
Coach Walid Regragui Defends Team Amid Criticism
Following the match, Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui expressed frustration over claims that his team benefits from bias in officiating. He stated, “We’re the team to beat. As the team to beat, people will try to find all sorts of reasons to say Morocco has an advantage.”
Key Match Incidents
During the quarterfinals, Morocco’s defense came under scrutiny when Cameroon appealed for two potential penalties. Defender Adam Masina was implicated in both incidents, first appearing to foul Bryan Mbuemo and later seemingly striking Etta Eyong with his elbow in the penalty area. However, these appeals went unanswered by referee Dahane Beida.
Refereeing Controversies
Regragui noted discrepancies in officiating, recalling instances where penalties could have been awarded to Morocco in past matches. “Many people want to believe or make others believe that we have advantages from the referees,” he said. He also highlighted a situation where against South Africa, Morocco was denied a penalty decision.
Morocco’s Performance in AFCON
- Morocco has maintained a strong performance throughout the tournament.
- They created more scoring opportunities compared to their opponents.
- In prior matches, potential penalties against Morocco were also disregarded.
Despite the controversies, Regragui believes his team deserves victory based on their performances, asserting, “The best team will win this tournament, inshallah.”
Upcoming Semifinals Matchup
Morocco is set to face either Nigeria or Algeria in the semifinals scheduled for Wednesday. The final match will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on January 18, marking an important date for the Atlas Lions as they aim for AFCON glory.
