According to former midfielder and assistant coach Mustapha Hadji, Morocco can “work miracles” under Walid Regragui thanks to their “exemplary state of mind.”
Following an incredible run in Qatar, the Atlas Lions, who had only advanced past the group stage once in five prior World Cup appearances, are the first African country to reach the semi-finals.
Regragui, who only took over for Vahid Halilhodzic in August, has led victories over Belgium, Spain, and Portugal to set up a matchup with the defending champions France in the semifinals.
Hadji represented Morocco in two World Cups, in 1994 and 1998, and from 2014 until this year’s early months, he was the team’s assistant coach.
The 51-year-old is ecstatic about what he has observed and told L’Equipe: “Here in Morocco, it’s crazy, what’s happening for the national team is extraordinary.
“It’s only been two or three months since Walid Regragui arrived in the national team. There was an upheaval with Vahid.
“The new coach was able to find the words and the way to bring out the best players and make a team with a lion’s state of mind.
“The team plays with heart and an exemplary state of mind. With a coach like that, you can only flourish and work miracles.”
