Hakimi’s Anticipated Return Boosts Morocco at AFCON

Achraf Hakimi has been absent from both club and international matches since spraining his ankle during PSG’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on November 4. His recovery has resulted in him missing a total of seven matches for PSG and four for the Moroccan national team.

However, his selection for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by head coach Walid Regragui signals optimism regarding his return to full fitness, even though he has yet to participate in the group stage matches. Morocco has garnered four points in their first two games on home turf, securing a 2-0 victory over Comoros in the tournament’s opener and drawing 1-1 against Mali.

A win against Zambia on Monday at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat would ensure Morocco’s advancement to the knockout stages as group winners. The return of their captain, Hakimi, would serve as a significant boost for Regragui’s squad. The coach expressed gratitude towards PSG for their support in Hakimi’s recovery, stating, “Let me say thanks to Paris Saint-Germain. If Hakimi is back today, it’s thanks to them.”

Regragui acknowledged that no other club would have permitted Hakimi to focus on his recovery just 15 days prior to the AFCON. He praised PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi for his cooperation, referring to him as a gentleman.

Despite a difficult period for PSG, which saw the European champions drop points in the Champions League and fall behind Lens in the Ligue 1 standings, Regragui’s remarks indicate that the club allowed Hakimi to prioritize his fitness for the national team. Morocco aims to claim the AFCON title for the first time since 1976, and Hakimi’s role is pivotal.

Hakimi has only seen his career soar, having captained PSG to a Champions League victory in the 2024/25 season and ranking sixth in the Ballon d’Or before winning the 2025 African Player of the Year award. Ahead of AFCON, Regragui expressed optimism about Hakimi’s participation: “We’re very positive about Achraf’s participation. He will definitely play in the AFCON with us, that’s for sure. We have some information, but we’ll keep it to ourselves.”

Should Morocco advance as Group A winners, they will be matched against one of the third-placed teams from Groups C, D, or E, hoping for a favorable pathway to the latter stages. The last 16 will commence on January 3, with the final scheduled for January 18 in Rabat. Morocco aspires to perform well on that day, and Hakimi is poised to play a crucial role in their success throughout the tournament. As Regragui noted, if Hakimi returns to action and contributes significantly, PSG will deserve recognition for facilitating his recovery.