Morocco To Face Mozambique, Uganda Without Injured Talisman

Morocco's star defender has been ruled out of crucial AFCON friendlies against Mozambique and Uganda after suffering a severe ankle injury.

Paris St-Germain and Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi has been ruled out for "several weeks" with a severely sprained left ankle, dealing a devastating blow to the Atlas Lions' preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The injury, confirmed by PSG on Wednesday, means the team captain will miss Morocco's final two friendly matches before they host the continental tournament. 

The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) had scheduled these crucial games as the last chance for head coach Walid Regragui to finalize his squad.

The Atlas Lions are set to face Mozambique on November 14, followed by a match against Uganda four days later on November 18. 

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Both fixtures are scheduled to be played at the newly renovated Grand Tangier Stadium, kicking off at 8 pm GMT+1.2 These games, falling within the official FIFA international window, were intended to be the final dress rehearsal for the home nation.

Hakimi, 27, sustained the injury during PSG's 2-1 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich on Tuesday. 

The star defender was stretchered off the pitch in tears during first-half stoppage time following a rash challenge from behind by Luis Diaz, who was later sent off after a VAR review.3

The timing could not be worse for Regragui and the Moroccan team. The AFCON 2025, being held in Morocco for the first time since 1988, kicks off in less than seven weeks on December 21.4 A "several weeks" layoff puts Hakimi's participation in the tournament itself in serious jeopardy. 

He was a vital pillar of the celebrated team that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Fifa World Cup and is currently a top contender for the African Footballer of the Year Award.

PSG boss Luis Enrique described the incident as a moment of terrible luck for his player.

"That's football, it's a contact sport," he said, before recalling the leg fracture suffered by Bayern's Jamal Musiala during the Club World Cup quarter-final between the same teams in the United States in July. 

"It's a shame because it is complicated for the players, but I remember the injury Musiala got in the summer and it is just one of these moments of bad luck."

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany expressed his sympathy, emphasizing there was no malicious intent from his player.

"All that matters is that Hakimi recovers quickly," Kompany stated as per BBC.

"What can I say? The intensity levels were massive. It is an unfortunate moment and that can happen. He didn't mean to injure him."

Regragui will now be forced to experiment with his defensive lineup, giving other players a chance to shine and fill the massive void left by Hakimi. 

These matches, intended to sharpen the attack and build chemistry, will now become a critical test of Morocco's depth as they scramble to find a solution before the home tournament begins.

Related content