Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has hinted at a possible tactical adjustment ahead of Friday’s blockbuster Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal clash against Cameroon.
The Atlas Lions will take on the Indomitable Lions in the last eight of the 2025 AFCON at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Regragui suggested that flexibility could be crucial against a side as experienced and physically imposing as Cameroon, revealing that a change in formation is under consideration.
“We dominated and controlled all the matches, and the number of chances supports this claim. This was due to the nature of the opponents,” Regragui said.
“In the next match, I will change the formation, and if it requires me to close the gaps and adopt the Qatar World Cup plan, I will return to it if it is our way to win the cup.”
The Moroccan tactician was also keen to dismiss any expectation that his team must always play expansive, front-foot football, stressing that pragmatism will guide his decisions.
“Playing with an open chest is neither necessary nor mandatory in all matches, including the upcoming Cameroon match,” he added.
“We will read the opponent and prepare as we should. In order to win, we must be very humble and make great sacrifices.”
A return to a more compact and disciplined setup would mirror the approach that powered Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Regragui’s side stunned Belgium, Spain and Portugal with defensive solidity and swift counter-attacks.
