Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has debunked talks of referee favouritism ahead of the host nation’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday.

Answering questions from the media at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Regragui dismissed speculation in some quarters that referees had been favouring Morocco at the tournament.

He stressed that his team has also been victim of bad officiating at the AFCON, citing games against Mali and Cameroon, in which some penalty incidents were not reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). 

“Since the beginning of the tournament, we have also been sidelined. When we played against Mali and Cameroon, incidents were not reviewed by VAR,” the 50-year-old said on Tuesday. 

Speaking further, the former Morocco international accused opponents of trying to undermine the efforts of his team, adding that the players would continue to shut down the accusations with their performances on the pitch. 

“People have tried to undermine our efforts. I speak to my players the only way we can shut down that is to continue to show our best on the pitch,” Mr Regragui stated. 

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Abongile Tom for the game between Nigeria and Morocco.

Mr Laryea will be assisted in the game on Wednesday by Zakhele Siwela from South Africa as assistant referee one, Souru Phatsoane from Lesotho as the assistant referee two, while Mozambique’s Arsenio Maringule will serve as assistant referee three 

Rwanda’s Samuel Uwikunda was appointed as the fourth official, Haythem Guirat of Tunisia will assist Mr Tom as VAR one, Stephen Yiembe as VAR two and Ethiopia’s Lidya Abebe is the referee assessor.