Morocco Wraps Up AFCON Prep Without Hakimi, Focus Remains on Development
The Moroccan national team concluded their preparations for their upcoming match against Lesotho, scheduled for Monday evening. This final game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers holds a unique position, given Morocco’s automatic qualification as the host nation. The Atlas Lions held their last training session in Oujda without their captain, Achraf Hakimi. Hakimi was granted special permission to return to his club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Reports indicate that PSG requested Hakimi’s early release, highlighting the strong relationship between the club and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
While the result of the Lesotho match won’t impact Morocco’s AFCON qualification, the game presents a valuable opportunity. With the tournament on home soil less than a year away, coach Walid Regragui can experiment with tactics and assess emerging talent. This approach mirrors the strategy employed by other host nations in recent years, using “dead rubber” qualifiers to fine-tune their squads and build momentum. For example, Cameroon used the final stages of AFCON 2021 qualifying to integrate new players and test different formations, ultimately reaching the semi-finals of the tournament they hosted.
Hakimi’s absence, while a loss for the squad in the short term, allows other players to step up and showcase their abilities. This is particularly important in positions where competition for starting spots is fierce. It also provides a chance for Regragui to assess the team’s depth and resilience without their star full-back. This kind of experimentation is crucial for building a squad capable of handling the pressure and expectations of a major tournament on home soil.
The relatively low stakes of the Lesotho match also allows the team to connect with fans in Oujda and build excitement for AFCON 2025. Hosting the tournament is a significant event for Moroccan football, and these final qualifiers offer a chance to generate positive energy and rally support behind the national team. The economic impact of hosting AFCON is also considerable. A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that AFCON 2019 in Egypt generated over $1.5 billion in economic activity. Morocco will be hoping for a similar boost in 2025.
Ultimately, while the Lesotho match may not be crucial for qualification, it carries significant weight in terms of preparation, development, and building anticipation for AFCON 2025. It’s a chance for the Atlas Lions to roar on home soil before the main event begins.
