Morocco head coach, Walid Regragui, has expressed excitement at the prospect of facing North African rivals Algeria in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Atlas Lions secured a place in the last four on Friday after a convincing 2-0 victory over Cameroon in their quarter-final clash.
That result sets up a semi-final meeting against the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Reacting after the win, Regragui said a potential showdown with Algeria would be special for the continent.
“If it’s Algeria we’ll have to face in the semi-final it will be a true historic derby between two brothers, it would be beautiful for football,” Regragui was quoted by Algeria Football Media following Morocco’s triumph over Cameroon.
He added, “If it’s them we’ll be very happy because it will be a great celebration.”
Morocco and Algeria last met at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 in Tunisia.
That encounter went into extra time after Morocco scored a stoppage-time equaliser, with the Atlas Lions eventually claiming a 3-1 victory.
Historically, Morocco have enjoyed the upper hand in the rivalry, winning 17 of their meetings with Algeria, losing eight, while 12 matches have ended in draws.
On the other hand, Algeria will be aiming to secure successive AFCON victories over Nigeria should they overcome the Super Eagles.
The Desert Foxes last faced Nigeria at the tournament in the 2019 semi-finals in Egypt, winning 2-1 thanks to a late free kick from Riyad Mahrez.
