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When the appointment of Regragui following the departure of
Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic was announced in August, underwhelmed
pundits branded him "avocado head" as a belittling term of
derision.
But the shaved-headed coach, who teased those critics at the
tournament in Qatar by holding an avocado with a soccer ball
inside it and pointing his finger at his head, has more than
proved his credentials.
The previously unheralded Regragui, who led Wydad to the
Moroccan league and CAF Champions League double last season,
masterminded a win for the ages against mighty Spain in the last
16 on Tuesday.
The Atlas Lions produced an amazing defensive performance,
allowing Spain possession without threatening danger, before
winning a penalty shootout to set up a last-eight clash with
Portugal.
Morocco first grabbed attention at the World Cup with a goalless
draw against Croatia, the runners-up four years ago.
The 47-year-old coach talked about how his team must develop a
winning mentality, and that Morocco would see how they fared
against Belgium before their final group game against Canada.
The Moroccans, however, stunned the second-ranked Belgians 2-0
to ease their passage to the last 16 for the second time in
their history.
Following another victory over Canada, Regragui became the first
Arab coach to lead a team to the knockout rounds.
"I told (my players) we should be proud of ourselves," Regragui
said. "It is an opportunity that may not be repeated.
Unfortunately, I did not play in the World Cup. God has now
given me an opportunity to make history as a coach. I am the
happiest person in the world," he said.
"I think Africans can go far, why not dream of winning the cup?
We want the next generation to dare to dream."
From the first minute against Spain, those familiar with
Moroccan football felt that the 2010 world champions had a long
night ahead of them.
USUAL MIXTURE
Regragui relied on the usual mixture of North African style,
combining committed defence with counter-attacks led by Hakim
Ziyech, who returned to the national team when Regragui took
over from Halilhodzic.
But Regragui's importance extends far beyond on-field tactics.
He gives his team confidence and motivates them in his own
unique way.
Regragui has managed to convince his players they are playing
for all of Morocco and, as a result, the team camp has been
different from before.
Regragui decided to invite the players' families to the camp in
Qatar.
"I lived my life in Paris, but it was the first time that I
attended a tournament with Walid participating, whether as a
player or a coach," Regragui's mother told the Moroccan TV
station Arryadia.
Although 14 of the 26 players in the Moroccan squad were born
abroad, their love for their country is clear.
"We fought and made the Moroccan people happy. We made history
and Morocco deserves it. The Moroccan people made us united on
the field," Regragui told Bein Sports.
It is possible to feel the warmth between Regragui and his
players during training as he treats them like friends.
"They like to hit me on the head," Regragui said. "Maybe it
brings them good luck."
At Al-Thumama Stadium on Saturday, the Moroccan, Arab and
African world will hope to continue the avocado-inspired
fairytale against Portugal.
(Reporting by Shady Amir, editing by Ed Osmond)
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