Achraf Hakimi handed AFCON green light as Lekjaa confirms Morocco star’s full recovery

Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations build-up received a significant boost after confirmation that Achraf Hakimi is fit and ready to feature in the tournament on home soil, easing weeks of concern among supporters.

Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa moved to calm nerves by confirming that the Paris Saint-Germain defender has fully recovered from the injury that disrupted his club season and briefly cast doubt over his AFCON availability.

Appearing alongside Hakimi on the Youth Pass programme across media platforms, Lekjaa said the medical process had followed its intended course and placed the player back on schedule for international duty.

“Thank God, Achraf is safe and his leg has recovered, so he can begin his Africa Cup of Nations matches,” he said.

Hakimi’s fitness had been a source of anxiety after he sustained a serious knock in early November during a UEFA Champions League encounter.

A heavy challenge in PSG’s clash with Bayern Munich forced the right-back into an extended spell on the sidelines, ruling him out of several key fixtures and limiting his match rhythm at a crucial stage of the season.

The setback prompted close monitoring by both club and country as Morocco planned for a tournament in which expectations are high.

Lekjaa acknowledged that the injury sparked widespread concern but stressed that the recovery unfolded smoothly. He revealed that part of Hakimi’s rehabilitation was carried out at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, a facility increasingly central to the country’s football ecosystem.

The federation views the complex not only as a national-team base but also as a hub for elite medical support, preparation and long-term development.

With the Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco, Hakimi is expected to be one of the tournament’s headline figures.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender has become a symbol of the national side’s rise on the international stage, combining elite-level experience with leadership within the squad. His availability strengthens Morocco’s ambitions as hosts, particularly with supporters eager to see one of their most recognisable stars perform without limitation.

Morocco’s coaching staff will now look to reintegrate Hakimi fully into match preparations, balancing caution with the need for sharpness for tonight’s game against Comoros.