As Morocco intensifies its preparations for the upcoming AFCON 2023, the absence of key players, including PSG defender Achraf Hakimi, has not deterred the squad’s commitment to training. Hakimi, currently engaged with PSG in a Ligue 1 clash against FC Toulouse, is expected to join the team in Maâmora on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
With Coach Walid Regragui overseeing the initial training sessions, 15 out of the 27 selected players have already commenced their preparation for the continental tournament.
The remainder of the squad is anticipated to join on Wednesday, ensuring a full complement for the training regimen.
Despite the initial absence of Hakimi, the Atlas Lions commenced their preparation course on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
The early sessions focused on light exercises to alleviate the effects of travel-related fatigue. The upcoming days will witness intensified training sessions as the team fine-tunes its strategy under Regragui’s guidance.
A significant highlight in Morocco’s preparation is a scheduled friendly match against Gambia on January 7 in Rabat.
This fixture is strategically positioned in the team’s training calendar, providing a valuable opportunity to test strategies and refine gameplay before the commencement of AFCON 2023.
Achraf Hakimi, a crucial asset for Morocco’s defensive lineup, will join the squad following PSG’s midweek fixture.
His arrival on Thursday adds a boost to the team’s defensive capabilities and injects further experience into the Atlas Lions’ backline.
The friendly against Gambia serves as a pivotal tune-up ahead of the team’s departure for Ivory Coast, the host country for AFCON 2023.
The continental tournament is scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024. As anticipation builds, Morocco’s meticulous preparation sets the stage for a competitive campaign, with the imminent inclusion of Hakimi further elevating expectations for the Atlas Lions’ performance in the upcoming championship.
