Morocco’s national team coach, Walid Regragui, has confirmed that captain Achraf Hakimi is medically fit for the Africa Cup of Nations, delivering a major boost to the host nation’s championship ambitions. However, in a press conference in Rabat on Saturday, Regragui indicated a strategic hesitation, stating the star defender may not start in the tournament’s opening match against Comoros on Sunday.
“Tomorrow will be my decision but he has more than done his job. His injury was not an easy one,” Regragui told assembled reporters. “I still have another night to sleep and decide whether he starts or whether we protect him and see how it goes for the remaining games. He is able to start, but he might not.”
The announcement resolves weeks of anxious speculation over the fitness of the Paris Saint-Germain right-back, who is the reigning African Player of the Year. Hakimi sustained a severe left ankle sprain during a UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich on November 4, an incident that saw him leave the pitch in visible distress, fearing his AFCON participation was in jeopardy.
His recovery has been a meticulously managed process. “He has made sacrifices over the last four or five weeks that nobody else could have made, and has set an example to the other players and the staff,” Regragui said, praising Hakimi’s dedication. “Today we can see that the protocol we put in place after his injury has been more than positive but now we have the whole competition to manage.”
For his part, Hakimi expressed readiness and relief. “I feel good. I am following the programme given to me by the medical staff and the coach,” the 27-year-old stated. His return is pivotal for the Atlas Lions, who are not only hosts but also one of the pre-tournament favourites, buoyed by their historic run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
The coach’s caution underscores the high-stakes, long-game strategy for a tournament that runs until the final in Rabat on January 18. Morocco’s Group A campaign includes subsequent matches against formidable opponents Mali and Zambia, making squad management crucial. Protecting a fully fit Hakimi from an early re-injury against minnows Comoros could be seen as a prudent calculation to ensure his availability for the knockout stages.
Hakimi’s presence transcends defensive solidity; he is a key attacking outlet and a leader whose experience is invaluable. His sixth-place finish in the 2025 Ballon d’Or ranking further cements his status as one of the world’s elite defenders and the face of Moroccan football.
