Achraf Hakimi is fit and ready to play in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
The Morocco captain and his coach, Walid Regragui, confirmed at a pre-match press briefing ahead of the tournament opening game on Sunday at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.
“I feel good. I’m following the programme with the doctors and the coach (Walid Regragui). After that, we’ll see what the coach decides. You can ask him,” he told reporters.
“I was scared after my injury. I didn’t want to miss this Cup of Nations that we are hosting. I wanted to be there with the team. I don’t know when I’ll play, but I feel ready.”
Hakimi got injured in the Uefa Champions League as PSG battled German champions Bayern Munich in October and was a big doubt for the Afcon on home soil.
Regragui thanked his captain for the strength and belief during a trying moment in which he had to heal.
“He went above and beyond,” the coach told the same press conference.
“His injury wasn’t straightforward. He made some tough decisions for his country. As a coach and a Moroccan, I want to thank him in front of everyone. He’s a true role model.”
At what stage of the competition Hakimi will play, Regragui was non-committal but hinted that he might feature in the opener.
“Does he start, or do we rest him? We’ll see, that will be my decision,” the coach said. “He could start tomorrow … or not.”
Morocco aiming to win only their second Afcon title and are many people’s favourite to clinch the 2025 edition on home soil.