CAN 2025: Achraf Hakimi came into play with Morocco against Zambia

He had not played a single minute of play since November 4 and his injury against Bayern Munich. The best African player of the year delighted an entire country this Monday evening by coming on in the 63rd minute of the Atlas Lions’ second match in this CAN at home. And it was obviously to the cheers of the public that the PSG player made his comeback.

The star of Morocco Achraf Hakimi, preserved during the first two matches, thus in fact made his debut in “his” African Cup of Nations against Zambia in Rabat where the public, remained unsatisfied until then, awaits a rise in power from the Atlas Lions.

The Moroccans responded by leading 3-0 against Zambia a few minutes from the end of the match. Hakimi even managed to lift the stadium with classy actions of which he has the secret and even came close to scoring twice in the 80th, then 81st minute.

“What we want and what we had planned, because we still feel the desire to go as far as possible, is that we have an Achraf who progresses with the team and who we keep for the entire competition,” coach Walid Regragui said at a press conference on Sunday in Rabat, before the match.

An injury that has kept him away for a month and a half

Seriously injured in his left ankle since November 4 after a poorly controlled tackle by Luis Diaz during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich, the African Ballon d’Or has not played again since then and has embarked on a race against time to be able to participate in the African Cup that his country is organizing.

The defender, often considered the best right back in the world, did not take part in the Atlas Lions’ inaugural victory against the Comoros (2-0), nor in the draw against Mali 1-1 in the second match.

“I feel a little frustrated not to help the team as I would have liked to do: on the pitch,” admitted Hakimi, alongside his coach during the pre-match press conference. “But, it’s an important role to help the team off the field. I’m doing that, helping the coach.”

In addition to his contribution to his team’s play, his mere presence will probably also calm the discontent which is slowly setting in among Moroccan supporters, unhappy with the performances of their players after a sluggish match against the Comoros and their lackluster performance against Mali.

“We can be Champions of Africa”

“We play at home, we need the support of all the supporters. It’s not normal for everyone to whistle. With Paris Saint-Germain, I remember that when we started the Champions League we weren’t winning matches. People said about us that we weren’t a great team, that we didn’t have a great coach. Ultimately, we are European champions, vice-world champions,” recalled the PSG star.

“We need our supporters to stay behind us. Like that, we can be champions of Africa,” he continued, trying to restore order in the den of the Atlas Lions.

Main target of criticism, Walid Regragui remained firm on the recovery plan that he imagined for his captain, while deploring his absence during the first two meetings.

“I think people don’t realize Achraf’s contribution to our team. We played two matches without our Golden Ball, without our best player, without our leader, without our captain. (…) We have the best player in Africa, one of the best players in the world. What he did in terms of leadership, in terms of care to come back, it’s extraordinary,” said Regragui, referring to the work accomplished by the Parisian defender to return on time.