What's happened
Morocco's coach Regragui confirmed key players, including injured captain Saiss and recovering Hakimi, are fit or will be assessed for the upcoming Africa Cup match against Mali. The team aims to secure qualification after their win over Comoros, with a focus on strategic player use and future prospects.
What's behind the headline?
Morocco's strategic management of player fitness and squad rotation highlights a calculated approach to balancing immediate tournament success with long-term development. The coach's emphasis on protecting key players like Hakimi, despite their injuries, indicates a focus on maximizing team strength for critical matches. The inclusion of young talent such as Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal demonstrates a vision for sustainable growth, aligning with Morocco's broader ambitions to elevate its football stature. The pressure to succeed is compounded by national expectations and the potential impact on Regragui's tenure, as failure could jeopardize future opportunities, including the 2026 World Cup. The team's heavy investment in infrastructure and talent development underscores a strategic push to become a continental and global football power, with this tournament serving as a pivotal step in that journey.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that Regragui confirmed Aguerd is fit and training normally, while Saiss will miss the match due to injury. Hakimi, recovering from a recent ankle injury sustained in November, may or may not start, depending on his condition and team strategy. The article highlights the coach's praise for young defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, emphasizing Morocco's long-term vision. AP News and The New Arab both detail Hakimi's injury and recovery process, with the latter noting his sacrifice and leadership qualities. The coverage underscores the high stakes for Morocco, both in this tournament and in their broader football ambitions, with potential consequences for Regragui's future if they underperform.
How we got here
Morocco, the 1976 Africa Cup champion, is under pressure to win its second title amid rising expectations following its historic 2022 World Cup semifinal appearance. The team has invested heavily in infrastructure and talent development, aiming to establish itself as a soccer power ahead of the 2030 World Cup co-hosting. Regragui's leadership is focused on both immediate success and long-term growth, with past disappointments fueling the drive for victory.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th
-
The CAF Africa Cup of Nations, officially CAN, also referred to as AFCON, or Total Africa Cup of Nations after its headline sponsor, is the main international men's association football competition in Africa.
-
Achraf Hakimi Mouh is a professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Morocco national team. Mainly a right-back or right wing-back, he can also play on the left or as a winger. Born and raised in Spain, he
-
Hoalid Regragui, known as Walid Regragui, is a Moroccan professional football manager and former player who played as a right-back. He is the head coach of the Morocco national team.