Coach Regragui reveals why PSG star Achraf Hakimi remained benched despite being fit. Injury risk management drove the controversial decision.
In difficulty against Mali during its second match of the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco did not wish to field Achraf Hakimi yet, even though he is now fully recovered from his left ankle injury. The national team coach later explained his decision.
After a difficult but winning first match against Comoros (2-0), Morocco was seriously challenged by Mali on Friday night during its second AFCON match. The Atlas Lions opened the scoring from a penalty, but the visitors equalized in the same manner and put them in danger until the very end of the match. Once again, Hakimi was on the bench but was seen warming up during the game.
While his team was seriously struggling, national coach Walid Regragui preferred not to bring on the PSG fullback, a decision he later justified in a press conference: "Today, he was scheduled to come on for ten minutes, but given the configuration, the intensity and the result, we preferred not to take any risks."
Morocco, not yet officially qualified for the knockout stage despite its four points from two matches, plays again on Monday night against Zambia, and Hakimi should, however, return to action on that occasion, according to the same Regragui: "For the third match, there is a chance we will see Achraf start or come on to get the engine running."
If he were to play again on Monday against Zambia, as his national coach assures, Achraf Hakimi would have then missed exactly eight weeks, minus one day, since he was injured by Luis Diaz on Tuesday, Nov. 3, during PSG/Bayern (1-2). A recovery period more or less in line with what was announced, and which would confirm that Morocco did not rush its captain.
Walid Regragui also explained that this Monday return was not necessarily mandatory but that his captain "will be ready for the knockout matches, that is for sure." Morocco will play its round of 16 match, if it qualifies, which is quite likely, between Saturday, Jan. 3, and Monday, Jan. 5, which will give Hakimi a few more days to perfect his physical condition.
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