Cameroon boss Pagou labels Morocco 'favourites'
Cameroon coach David Pagou insists Morocco is favourite for their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final tussle, though he sees the chance to eliminate the host as an extra source of motivation.
Pagou's team will take on the Atlas Lions in Rabat for the opportunity to face either Algeria or Nigeria in the semi-finals next week.
The Indomitable Lions last lifted the trophy in 2017, though that is their only successful campaign since winning back-to-back editions in 2000 and 2002, while Morocco's only title came all the way back in 1976.
Both teams took seven points from three games in the groups, with Morocco then edging out Tanzania 1-0 in the last 16 and Cameroon overcoming South Africa by a 2-1 scoreline.
Morocco's less-than-stellar performances have attracted criticism from some supporters, but given they finished fourth at the World Cup just over three years ago, Pagou believes all the pressure is on the hosts.
"Morocco are the natural favourites," Pagou said. "They were World Cup semi-finalists. It will be a very difficult match against a very good team. We will try to challenge them.
"What characterises Cameroonians is their courage, even when there's a mountain to overcome. It's the mental strength that makes the difference.
"It's a quarter-final against the host country, which has very strong individual players and a high-performing team. Morocco haven't lost at home for a very long time. That is an extra motivation. It will be a mental battle."
Morocco boss Walid Regragui is not fazed by the criticism he has received over the past few weeks, however, pointing out that many tournament victors start slowly.
"We are still thinking the same way and have confidence in what we are doing," he said. "This is a tournament that requires staying grounded, even if people do not want to understand that. When you see the results and all the strong teams that have progressed, you realise what you are up against."
