Morocco will go into their decisive Group A meeting with Zambia determined to secure top spot and remain in Rabat, with head coach Walid Regragui insisting his players are united, resilient and ready to respond after seeing their winning run brought to an end.
The Atlas Lions were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali on Friday, a result that halted a remarkable sequence of 19 consecutive victories.
It was a setback that served as a reminder that reputations count for little in tournament football, especially against opponents who believe they can upset the favourites.
Speaking in Rabat on Sunday, on the eve of the final group fixture at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Regragui underlined the importance of the moment.
With Morocco sitting on four points, only two ahead of Mali and Zambia and one above Comoros, the margin for error has narrowed considerably.
The national coach was clear about what is at stake, explaining that “we have the possibility of taking first place against Zambia to stay in Rabat, which is our first objective”, while adding that the squad “will continue to progress”.
That message of progression was a recurring theme in his address.
Rather than dwelling on the disappointment of the draw, Regragui framed it as part of the learning curve in a competition where perfection is rare.
“I have confidence in this group which is really united and we know what we have to do to progress, while knowing that we have to suffer to be good and evolve,” he stressed.
He also highlighted a change in mentality within the camp, suggesting that the foundations laid over recent months are beginning to show.
“We have gained a lot in terms of mindset within the national team,” he observed, before turning to the relationship with supporters. “We do our job to make our supporters happy,” he said, while acknowledging that criticism remains part of the process and can be “beneficial for progress and better performance”.
One of the key talking points ahead of Monday’s encounter is the return of Achraf Hakimi.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender has yet to feature in the tournament, but Regragui confirmed his involvement against Zambia. “What is certain is that Achraf Hakimi will play tomorrow,” he said.
“We will decide whether he will start or not, but it will certainly be his first match in this AFCON.”
Hakimi’s availability provides a timely boost as Morocco seek to reassert control of the group.
The draw with Mali showed that they cannot afford to rely on reputation alone, particularly with both Mali and Zambia sitting on two points and poised to capitalise on any slip.
Elsewhere in the section, Mali and Comoros will meet at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, also at 8pm, a fixture that could yet influence the final standings.
For Morocco, however, the equation is simple: victory over Zambia ensures they advance as group leaders and maintain their base in Rabat.
Regragui’s message, delivered calmly but firmly, reflected a coach keen to blend ambition with realism.
The unbeaten streak may have ended, but the objective remains unchanged.
With Hakimi set to make his tournament debut and the group finely balanced, Morocco know that Monday night will shape not only their route through the competition, but also the mood of a nation eager to see its team fulfil its potential on home soil.
