Ahead of Morocco’s final Group A match against Zambia on Monday (8:00 PM CET), Walid Regragui used his press conference to publicly thank Paris Saint-Germain and club president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. The Atlas Lions head coach praised PSG’s handling of Achraf Hakimi’s injury, which allowed the right-back to be fit again in time for the end of the group stage at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Strong cooperation between clubs and national teams is not always guaranteed. When it does happen — and is acknowledged publicly — it deserves to be highlighted. On Sunday, Regragui delivered a clear message of appreciation toward PSG ahead of the decisive Morocco–Zambia clash.
“I would like to thank PSG and its president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, someone with a lot of class,” said the Moroccan coach.
“Because they made Achraf (Hakimi) available to us. If he is back today, it is also thanks to the club.”
“We’ll make him available to you — we trust you”
After suffering a serious ankle sprain with PSG against Bayern Munich in November, Hakimi entered a race against time to be ready for AFCON 2025, hosted in his home country. PSG allowed their African Ballon d’Or winner to join the national team earlier than initially planned so he could continue his rehabilitation with Morocco.
“I remember when I went to see Achraf at the Parc des Princes, to discuss things with the club as well,” Regragui continued.
“They still allowed him to come nearly fifteen days earlier.”
The Morocco coach then emphasized how rare such trust is at the highest level of football:
“There is not a single club in the world that would have said: ‘We’ll make him available to you, we trust you.’”
Hakimi set to play against Zambia
Regragui also confirmed to the media that Achraf Hakimi will be given minutes on Monday against Zambia in Morocco’s third and final group-stage match. The host nation is aiming to secure qualification for the round of 16 and needs only a draw to book its place in the knockout phase.
Hakimi’s return is expected to strengthen Morocco both on the pitch and emotionally, as the Atlas Lions look to assert their status as one of the tournament favorites on home soil.