CAN 2025 – Morocco: Walid Regragui announces Hakimi's return date

26.12.25 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco

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Mali

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Achraf Hakimi has yet to play a single minute in this CAN 2025, but his name continues to carry more weight than many goals. Sidelined with an ankle injury since early November, the Paris Saint-Germain full-back has spent weeks in meticulous rehabilitation, hoping to return for his country on the grandest stage. After Morocco's frustrating draw against Mali (1–1), Walid Regragui finally broke the silence about Hakimi, almost sounding relieved:

"For the third match, there's a chance we'll see Achraf start or come on to get the engine running," the head coach revealed,

before explaining why he'd waited:

"He was set to come on for ten minutes, but given the situation, the intensity, and the result, we decided not to take any risks. He'll be ready for the knockout rounds, that's for sure."

At the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where Hakimi's absence was felt both on the pitch and symbolically, Morocco seemed to be searching for its rhythm, especially in attack. The control, energy, and trademark overlapping runs of the 2025 African Ballon d'Or winner were sorely missed. In Rabat, some fans whispered that even Kylian Mbappé's presence in the stands—there to support his friend, Hakimi, whose shirt he wore—wasn't enough to fill the void.

On Monday, against Zambia, the host nation will fight for qualification. And Hakimi may well make his comeback. Morocco can qualify; Hakimi, for his part, can reignite the flame. Perhaps Morocco's tournament hasn't truly begun yet—it could all start with their number 2.

Read also: CAN 2025 / Algeria – Burkina Faso: Mandi warns, "enough talking about the past"

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations