Hakimi Set for AFCON Debut as Morocco Face Zambia

African Player of the Year, Achraf Hakimi, is set to feature for the first time at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations as Morocco prepare to take on Zambia in their final Group A match on Monday.

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, confirmed the development on Sunday in Rabat, revealing that the influential defender has recovered sufficiently to be involved after weeks on the sidelines.

Regragui praised Hakimi’s determination and commitment during his rehabilitation, describing his return as remarkable. While he did not clarify whether the Paris Saint-Germain star would start the match or come off the bench, the coach assured that the encounter would mark Hakimi’s debut at the tournament.

Hakimi has been out of action since early November after sustaining an ankle injury while on club duty with PSG. As a result, he was left out of Morocco’s first two AFCON matches, watching from the bench as his teammates secured a 2-0 victory over Comoros before settling for a 1-1 draw against Mali.

Despite his absence, the Atlas Lions currently lead Group A with four points from two games.

A win against Zambia would see them finish top of the group, while a draw would also be enough to secure qualification for the knockout stages. Regragui stressed the importance of carefully managing Hakimi’s return, noting that the team’s long-term ambition in the competition requires his gradual reintegration.

The coach also highlighted the defender’s immense influence on the squad, describing him as the team’s leader and a key figure on and off the pitch.

He acknowledged the efforts of other players who have stepped up in Hakimi’s absence but admitted that Morocco are a stronger side with the reigning African Footballer of the Year in the lineup.

Hakimi’s return is expected to provide a significant boost for the host nation as they look to build momentum ahead of the tournament’s decisive stages.