Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has delivered a glowing tribute to Achraf Hakimi on the eve of the Atlas Lions’ Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Nigeria in Rabat, describing his captain as the driving force behind the team’s ambitions.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Regragui confirmed that the Paris Saint-Germain defender is expected to start barring any late complications, despite having endured a challenging tournament marked by injury and illness.
Hakimi, 27, arrived at the 2025 finals with a serious sprain to his left ankle and was eased back cautiously into action.
His gradual return, however, has left a deep impression on the Moroccan coach, who highlighted not just the right-back’s performances, but the mentality that underpins them.
“He’s been the bearer of our dream for two years. We’ve talked a lot, he’s on a mission. Achraf is getting stronger. It was impossible for him to be at 100% for his first half-hour against Zambia. Then, he played 90 minutes against Tanzania. (…) And against Cameroon, he had a solid match (…). He had the flu before the Cameroon match, and we were a little worried because there’s always a risk of muscle injuries when you come back from the flu. But despite that, he played 90 minutes. That shows you what kind of player he is.”
The words reflect the faith Regragui has placed in his captain throughout the competition.
After limited minutes in the group stage opener against Zambia, Hakimi has steadily rebuilt his rhythm, completing full matches as Morocco progressed and assuming a visible leadership role in the side.
For Regragui, the defender’s influence stretches far beyond his overlapping runs and defensive discipline.
The coach stressed that working with a player of Hakimi’s calibre has been a learning experience in itself.
“Mentally, when you’re a coach and you have a player like Achraf, you’re happy but you also learn a lot. You realize what it’s like to have a player of that level.”
Those remarks underline why Hakimi is regarded as central to Morocco’s quest for continental glory on home soil.
The Atlas Lions are aiming to capitalise on the energy of a partisan crowd in Rabat, where expectations are running high ahead of a semi-final that carries both sporting and symbolic weight.
Nigeria arrive as formidable opponents, but Morocco’s camp has been buoyed by Hakimi’s visible improvement since the early days of the tournament.
His willingness to push through physical setbacks has resonated strongly with teammates, according to those close to the squad, reinforcing his status as the emotional compass of the group.
Regragui has consistently emphasised unity and resilience since taking charge, and Hakimi’s journey through this AFCON — from limited involvement to near-ever-present — fits neatly into that narrative.
🎙️🇲🇦 “Hakimi, c’est notre porteur de rêve”
Pensez-vous que le latéral parisien peut emmener le Maroc sur le toit de l’Afrique ? 🏆#CAN2025 #NIGMAR pic.twitter.com/W8I625CctZ
— Afrik-Foot (@afrikfoot) January 13, 2026
The coach believes the captain’s response to adversity has set the standard for the rest of the squad at the most critical moment of the campaign.
As Morocco prepare to take on the Super Eagles with a place in the final at stake, the spotlight will once again fall on the man Regragui calls the “bearer of our dream”.
For the home supporters packed into the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Hakimi’s presence offers both reassurance and belief that the journey they have embarked on together can still end in triumph.
