Morocco head coach Walid Regragui and captain Achraf Hakimi say the Atlas Lions must show humility and respect to opponents in their bid to land their first continental title in fifty years, www.aclsports.com reports.
Regragui and Hakimi spoke to the press at the AFCON 2025 Main Media Centre on Saturday, just over 24 hours before the tournament’s opening game against Comoros.
Regragui, 50, who still commands respect after leading the Atlas Lions to the 2022 World Cup semi final admitted that his team are one of the favourites to win the tournament but will have to work it out.
“We are not hiding it, we are working to win the competition,” began a seemingly relaxed Regragui.
“We have the positive pressure on us so we are going to exert effort in order to win the competition. We failed in Côte d’Ivoire but we will have to control our emotions and do the best we can.”
Regragui also acknowledged the extra importance that the opening game against Comoros holds aside the fact that Morocco will try to win every game they play the same way.
“All matches are the same and all games are inportant but tomorrow is special because it’s the opening match and it is organized here so we want to play good football with humility and respect to our opponents.”
Hakimi looking beyond self for national glory
As the newly crowned African footballer of the year and undoubtedly one of the best players on the planet earth at the moment, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi had to evade a lot of personal questions at the presser, emphasising that he is here for the team.
The Paris St Germain defender has not featured in any game for over a month due to injury and although he has been passed fit by the team’s medical team, it remains to be seen whether he will start or not in Sunday’s opener against Comoros.
“I will not like to focus on myself because it is a team effort. Whether I’m fit or not, we have a formidable team with good players ready to excel for this country and that’s what matters most,” responded Hakimi to a question on if his fitness (or not) will be decisive for Morocco.
While hoping they bounce back from the disappointment of last year, Hakimi called on both fans and players to respect their opponents at the tournament because the AFCON is always full of surprises.
“This is a long awaited moment for us since we were eliminated from the last edition so we have prepared very well to bring home the victory. We will have to respect our opponents and hope to give our fans the joy that they deserve,” he added.
Morocco vs Comoros Islands will hold at the new Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat on Sunday.
