In important developments ahead of the anticipated clash for the Atlas Lions, national coach Walid Regragui settled the controversy surrounding the possibility of the participation of the team’s star and captain, Achraf Hakimi, in the tough match that will bring together the Moroccan national team with its Malian counterpart, within the competitions of the second round of Group A in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals hosted by the Kingdom.
Hakimi's situation and the ongoing injury
Regragui confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain's right-back, Achraf Hakimi, would not be included in the starting lineup for Friday's match, preferring not to risk the player's well-being. This cautious decision stems from Hakimi's continued struggles with an ankle injury sustained while playing for his French club last November. The player missed Morocco's opening match, a comfortable 2-0 victory over Comoros, watching from the bench.
Despite not being fully fit, Hakimi was a strong presence at the celebratory event, where he displayed his African Golden Ball, which he won as the best player on the continent for 2025, in front of huge crowds of nearly 70,000 fans at the opening ceremony, reflecting his great moral value within the group.
Regragui's philosophy: Caution for the sake of the title
Walid Regragui emphasized in his press statements that the top priority is ensuring the players' fitness for the later stages of the tournament, saying: "We desperately want him to participate in the entire competition, not just for one match. We will see in the next 48 hours if he is ready to start, but we will not take any risks." This statement reflects the coaching staff's strategy, which aims to balance securing points in the group stage with ensuring the readiness of key players for the crucial knockout rounds.
Historical context and importance of the tournament for Morocco
This edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is of exceptional importance to Morocco, not only because it is being held on its home soil and in front of its fans, but also because it comes amidst high ambitions to break the historical jinx and win the second continental title after the achievement of 1976. After the historic performance in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the Lions reaching the semi-finals, expectations have risen to unprecedented levels, which puts positive pressure on Regragui to manage his human resources very intelligently.
Financial challenge and Group 1 calculations
The match against Mali is considered the first real test for the Atlas Lions in this tournament, given the strength of the Malian team, which boasts a number of professionals playing in European leagues and is characterized by its physical strength and tactical organization. Despite the importance of a victory to secure the top spot in Group A, which also includes Zambia and Comoros, Regragui is aware that losing a player of Achraf Hakimi's caliber for an extended period could prove very costly in the quest for the coveted trophy.
While the Moroccan public awaits the final decision on Hakimi’s participation, the focus remains on the depth of the Moroccan squad and the ability of the substitutes to compensate for the absence of the best player in Africa, in order to continue the strong start towards achieving the continental dream.
