Regragui Claims Africa Cup Title Despite Final Dispute

Walid Regragui, the former Morocco manager, continues to assert his claim as the "champion of Africa" following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Morocco suffered a 1-0 defeat to Senegal on home soil, a match marred by a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco in the final minutes. The ensuing protest by Senegal's players, who walked off the pitch, led the Confederation of African Football to initially award the title to Morocco. However, Senegal's rejection of this decision has escalated the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a final ruling.

Regragui, speaking on the "Maghareb podcast," expressed his conviction that Morocco's overall performance merited the championship title, regardless of the final outcome or ongoing legal proceedings. He recalled a pivotal moment in the final where a scored penalty could have secured the trophy. Beyond the recent controversy, Regragui also reminisced about his playing career, specifically highlighting Morocco's 2004 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match against Algeria as an "immortal" and intensely fought derby game.