The countdown is nearing its end. As Morocco prepares to launch its African Cup of Nations this Sunday, December 21 against the Comoros, Achraf Hakimi enters the last kilometers of his time trial race. Victim of a very serious sprain in his left ankle following a violent tackle by Luis Diaz during the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich on November 4, the captain of the Atlas Lions has been working hard for more than a month to participate in the CAN on Moroccan soil.
If no official information has yet been transmitted, it seems improbable, if not impossible, to see Hakimi set foot on the pitch at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium for the opening of the continental tournament. On the other hand, Walid Regragui, the Morocco coach, is certain that his star will be able to return during the competition.
“We have visibility, but we will keep it to ourselves”
“Achraf will play the CAN, that’s for sure,” he told Brut Afrique this Thursday. “We are very positive about Ashraf’s participation. Afterwards, in what match and when… In any case, he will play the CAN with us, that’s for sure. » Wishing not to give any indication to his adversaries, the 50-year-old technician wanted to maintain vagueness during this interview. “We have visibility, but we are going to keep it for ourselves,” he summarized.
After resuming the race without apparent discomfort at the beginning of December at the PSG training center, the 2025 African Ballon d’Or flew, in agreement with the Parisian staff, to Morocco to finish his rehabilitation. For almost three weeks, he has redoubled his efforts to try to get back on the ground as quickly as possible. “He wants to be there from the first match,” Regragui confided on the sidelines of the draw for the 2026 World Cup on December 5.
Also asked about the popular pressure that awaits his men during the competition, the coach of the Atlas Lions was confident. “I always take pressure on the positive side, it’s my philosophy of life,” he revealed. “We hope that we will experience a great CAN, perhaps the most beautiful in history. We are happy to participate, we will give our best. In this sport, anything can happen, that’s what makes it beautiful. We have the best supporters in the world, we know they will respond. We will try to represent them as best as possible and make them happy at the end. »
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