Ziyech Out: Regragui Announces Morocco Squad for Gabon and Lesotho AFCON Qualifiers
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, has unveiled his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Gabon and Lesotho. The announcement, which has generated considerable buzz among fans, features some notable omissions, most prominently Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech.
The Atlas Lions, fresh off their historic semi-final run at the 2022 World Cup, are looking to continue their strong form in the AFCON qualifiers. They currently sit atop Group I with six points, followed by Gabon with four points. Securing qualification for the tournament, scheduled to be held in Ivory Coast in January 2025, is paramount for Regragui and his men.
While the full squad list reveals a blend of experience and emerging talent, Ziyech’s absence is undoubtedly the headline-grabber. The talented playmaker, now plying his trade at Galatasaray in Turkey, has been a key figure for Morocco in recent years. His creativity and set-piece prowess will be sorely missed. This omission continues the ongoing saga between Ziyech and the national team, raising questions about his future involvement with the Atlas Lions. Speculation abounds regarding the reasons behind his exclusion, with some citing potential
