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Rabat – Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, has commented on Achraf Hakimi’s injury, saying his medical team will do its best to make sure the Atlas Lion is ready for AFCON.
“Let me be clear… We’ll do everything to make sure Achraf Hakimi is 100% fit to face Comoros in the opening match on December 21,” Regragui said in a press briefing, where he announced his lineup for the upcoming friendlies.
Regragui’s comments followed Hakimi’s severe ankle injury, which observers feel could jeopardize the football star’s participation in the tournament.
The Morocco head coach stressed that even if the player cannot play, “he’ll still be there with us. Of course he will – he’s our best player and our leader,” Regragui added.
Bayern’s Luis Diaz launched a reckless tackle from behind Hakimi on Tuesday, sending him to the pitch with a serious injury.
Converging reports said the injury is a syndesmosis rupture, a tear between the bones in the lower leg. The recovery could take at least four to six weeks of rehabilitation following two weeks of immobilization.
Media confirmed Hakimi will miss the rest of 2025 with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), although Marca reported that Hakimi will not need surgery.
Regragui appears to be confident that Hakimi could heal ahead of the AFCON.
“If there’s one player who can come back quickly, it’s Achraf Hakimi. We have one of the best medical staffs in the world, as does PSG, with whom we maintain a strong partnership,” Regragui said.
The head coach emphasized that Hakimi will of course only play if he’s 100% ready.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions will face Mozambique and Uganda in two friendlies on November 14 and November 18.
The called-up team includes superstars like Yassine Bounou, Mounir El Kajoui as well as Nayef Aguerd, Noussair Mazraoui, Bilal El Khannouss, and Ismael Saibari.
Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi will also be part of the squad, along with Youssef En-Nesyri, Brahim Diaz, Hamza Igamae, among others.
