Walid Regragui, the head coach of the Moroccan national team, confirmed the readiness of several of his players ahead of the match against Cameroon, scheduled for Friday at 8:00 PM GMT+1, as part of the quarter-final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.

During the press conference held this morning, Thursday, Regragui explained that some of the injured players have returned to training, noting that Hamza has been brought back into the squad after the coaching staff decided to give him extra time to fully recover instead of risking him in the previous match.

The coach of the Moroccan national team addressed the situation of midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, confirming that his ankle injury does not allow him to prepare fully. He added that the decision to start him or rely on him during the match will be made later. He also mentioned the improvement in the physical condition of defender Romain Saïss, affirming that he is gradually regaining his fitness.

At the midfield level, Regragui renewed his confidence in his players, especially Bilal El Khannous, who started in the Round of 16 match against Tanzania, which ended with a 1-0 victory for the Moroccan national team. The coach acknowledged some difficulties during the first half of that match, explaining that the numerous mistakes and a slow start affected the performance, especially against the opponent's defensive organization.

He pointed out that the performance improved in the second half with the same midfield players, as several opportunities were created. He confirmed that Ounahi's absence forced a last-minute compulsory change, but he emphasized that the national team has skilled players and is working on correcting mistakes by reviewing the matches on video.

Regarding Bilal El Khannous, Regragui explained that the player has enjoyed the coaching staff's trust for three years, expressing hope that he will be able to overcome the pressure if he participates, especially given the high expectations surrounding him since his appearance in the World Cup. He emphasized that simplicity in play and properly utilizing his talent are the keys to his brilliance.

Regarding the match against Cameroon, Regragui emphasized that it will be strong and challenging, affirming that historical records do not play a role on the field. He explained that Morocco's elimination by Cameroon in the 1988 edition is now in the past, pointing out that the current team is completely different.

He added that the Cameroonian team is also experiencing a high level of focus and understands the magnitude of the challenge, especially since a loss would mean missing out on major competitions for a while. At the same time, he pointed out that the Moroccan team bears the pressure of hosting and playing on home soil, in addition to upcoming commitments, most notably participating in the World Cup.

Regragui praised the Cameroonian national team, both in terms of the coaching staff and the quality of the players, considering that the match will be decided by the details on the field. He concluded by emphasizing that humility remains a key element in this tournament, stressing that the Africa Cup of Nations does not recognize names, and that achieving a positive result requires discipline and focus.