Regragui names defender to replace Hakimi if he doesn’t recover for AFCON

Morocco national team head coach Walid Regragui has named Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui as a possible replacement for injured right-back Achraf Hakimi if he doesn’t recover to make it into the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Despite remaining optimistic that Hakimi, who picked an injury while playing for Paris Saint-Germain, will make the AFCON squad, Regragui named Mazraoui as the best option to step in.

“Mazraoui does not have the same qualities as Achraf. He is not a player who attacks deep, although he combines well with Brahim Diaz,” Regragui said as quoted by Morocco World News.

“The idea I have is that Achraf will be at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the problem will be solved. If Achraf is absent, then of course this is the best position for Noussair.”

‘I have 200% trust in my backline’

He added: “Many matches we played without our full defense. Sometimes Hakimi, Mazraoui, Aguerd, or Masina were missing. We always made changes, yet we did not concede goals. This shows our defensive strength.”

Speaking about his defensive line, Regragui said: “What matters to me is that we have trust. Even if we concede, we know we can score. As a coach, I tried many defenders, but I trust 200% in my back line.”

Meanwhile, when asked about defender Romain Saïss, he said: “Saïss is an experienced player. When he was injured, nobody showed they were better than him or Nayef. He played two World Cups and three Africa Cups.

“Now we have a young group, and they need guidance. The pressure will be there at AFCON, and they must understand that the trophy has to stay in Morocco. This desire can only be passed on through experienced players.”

Being the hosts, Morocco have been pooled in Group A alongside Comoros, Mali, and Zambia. They will kick off their AFCON campaign against Comoros on December 21.