Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Sunday, December 28, 2025, 4:33 p.m. / Updated Sunday, December 28, 2025, 4:34 p.m.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui has confirmed Achraf Hakimi is fit to face Zambia in their final Africa Cup of Nations Group A clash on Monday after two games on the bench.
Following a severe left ankle sprain suffered in November, the PSG star has been sidelined. However, Hakimi is all set to make his debut at the final tournament hosted by his country.
Hakimi, ahead of his Africa Cup debut
Morocco's national team started the Africa Cup of Nations without its most famous player, Achraf Hakimi. Following an injury to his left ankle, the PSG defender was unable to help his teammates in the first two games of the final tournament. However, the chances of him making his debut in the last game of the group stage are quite high.
This is confirmed even by Walid Regragui, the coach of Morocco. During the press conference organized before the game against Zambia, he stated that Hakimi will get minutes in the last match of the group stage.
“What he did to come back is extraordinary. What I can say is that Achraf will play tomorrow. Whether he starts or not, it will be his first match at the Africa Cup of Nations. We want Achraf to progress with the team and to be able to keep him for the duration of the competition,” the Morocco coach said, according to Reuters.
Walid Regragui (left) and Achraf Hakimi (right) / Imago Images
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Hakimi remains Morocco's most important player. The national team captain was named the best African player at the Confederation of African Football gala held last month.
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It also played in the 2021 and 2023 editions of the African Cup, each time stopping in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Expectations from Hakimi's national team are high, considering the status of the host country, but also the last performances of the national team. Morocco reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and won the Arab Cup in 2025. The national team won the African Cup once, in 1976.
Morocco top Group A with four points from two matches and a win against Zambia will see the players progress to the last 16. A draw will also guarantee them a place in the knockout stages.
MOROCCO PROGRAM:
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Morocco – Comoros 2-1
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Morocco – Mali 1-1
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Zambia – Morocco, December 29, 21:00
