Regragui: Hakimi's Condition to Be Reassessed for Mali Start

Walid Regragui, head coach of the Moroccan national team, provided an update on the health status of right-back Achraf Hakimi, indicating that his condition will be assessed over the next 48 hours to determine his availability to start against Mali.

During the post-match press conference, Regragui stated: "Currently, Hakimi is not in the squad. For now, we will rely on other players. If he returns, we will see. We can play with a left-footed full-back, or a right-footed full-back on the left side. What distinguishes me, and I cannot complain, is that I have three excellent full-backs."

He continued: "Anas Salah-Eddine is currently undergoing significant development, and with us, he will become one of the best left-backs. We have Mazraoui, who is one of the most technically gifted players in his position. We have Achraf Hakimi. But competition exists, and today we saw that we played without Hakimi. Perhaps in the future, we will play without Mazraoui, or without Salah-Eddine."

Regragui added: "The important thing is that I have options, and I am not in a position of doubt or worry. Previously, Hakimi's absence would cause concern, but today, we can allow him to rest and return gradually. However, what is certain, as you mentioned in your question, is that Hakimi will play."

He further elaborated: "In reality, we need Hakimi, because he is the best African player and one of the best players in the world. No national team in the world can do without its best player. Frankly, if Hakimi had been with us today, we would certainly have been better."

He continued: "But as I said, Mazraoui is a great player, and I have always placed him at the same level as Hakimi, despite the differences in their characteristics. When we have Hakimi, the style of play changes, and I think his style would have helped us more on the wing."

He concluded: "But we did not want to take any risks, if you are asking why he wasn't involved. He returned faster than expected, and we are taking every precaution because it is important to have him back fully for this tournament, not just for twenty minutes or one match. We will reassess his condition within 48 hours to decide if he can start the match against Mali, and as I said before, whether he starts or not, we will make that decision at the last moment. But we are convinced that he will play in this AFCON, and we are eagerly awaiting him."