AFCON
Morocco Race Against Time to Get Hakimi Fit for AFCON
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, has expressed optimism that star defender Achraf Hakimi will recover in time to feature at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), despite suffering a serious ankle injury that has ruled him out of action for the rest of 2025 with Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking during a press conference in Rabat on Thursday to announce Morocco’s squad for their upcoming international friendlies, Regragui assured fans that every effort is being made to ensure the 26-year-old right-back is fit for the Atlas Lions’ AFCON opener against Comoros on December 21.
“Let me be clear… We’ll do everything to make sure Achraf Hakimi is 100% fit to face Comoros in the opening match on December 21,” the coach declared. “Even if he cannot play, he’ll still be there with us. Of course he will – he’s our best player and our leader.”
Hakimi sustained the injury earlier in the week after a reckless challenge from Bayern Munich’s Luis Díaz, which left him clutching his ankle in visible pain. Subsequent medical tests reportedly confirmed a syndesmosis rupture — a tear between the bones in the lower leg. Recovery typically requires two weeks of immobilization followed by four to six weeks of rehabilitation, raising doubts about his readiness for the tournament in Morocco’s camp.
Spanish outlet Marca reported that while Hakimi will not need surgery, he is expected to miss the remainder of the calendar year with his club, PSG. Nevertheless, Regragui remains confident in both the player’s resilience and the quality of Morocco’s medical team.
“If there’s one player who can come back quickly, it’s Achraf Hakimi,” Regragui insisted. “We have one of the best medical staffs in the world, as does PSG, with whom we maintain a strong partnership. But he will only play if he’s 100% ready.”
The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists will face Mozambique and Uganda in two preparatory friendlies on November 14 and November 18, respectively.
Regragui’s 26-man squad includes several of Morocco’s key players, such as goalkeepers Yassine Bounou and Mounir El Kajoui, defenders Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui, midfielders Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, and Bilal El Khannouss, as well as forwards Youssef En-Nesyri, Brahim Díaz, and Ismael Saibari. Rising talent Hamza Igamane is also part of the selection.
Hakimi’s fitness will be closely monitored in the coming weeks as Morocco prepares to challenge for their second continental crown — and their first since 1976. His presence, both on and off the pitch, could prove decisive for a team seen as one of the favourites to win AFCON 2025 on home soil.
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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