On Tuesday at the Stade d’Agadir, Morocco delivered an emphatic 6-0 victory over Congo in the fourth day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Among the standout performances was Hakim Ziyech, who had been under intense scrutiny leading up to the match.
Ziyech’s previous outing against Zambia, despite a 2-1 win, left many fans frustrated.
His visible irritation upon being substituted fueled speculation about his place in the squad, with some supporters calling for head coach Walid Regragui to drop him.
However, Ziyech started the match against Congo and showcased his true potential, silencing his critics with a stellar performance.
“Hakim remains a great player,” Regragui declared in the post-match press conference.
Ziyech played a crucial role in Morocco’s triumph, contributing significantly to two of the six goals.
His expertly taken free kick led to Chadi Riad’s goal in the 16th minute, and he also provided the key pass for Ayoub El Kaabi’s strike in the 39th minute.
Regragui praised Ziyech’s contributions and defended his decision to keep the former Chelsea player in the lineup. “Hakim remains Hakim.
We tend to quickly forget what he accomplished with the selection and that he is the third-highest scorer in the history of the selection with 23 goals,” he said.
Regragui expressed his hope that Ziyech would surpass Salaheddine Bassir, the national team’s all-time top scorer with 27 goals, signaling his continued faith in the player.
“He has the right to make mistakes; he is a unique player. As long as he can help us, I will trust him completely. To forget everything he has done would be ingratitude.
Today he responded on the pitch and I’m happy,” Regragui added. He emphasized his special relationship with Ziyech and acknowledged the supporters’ frustrations, but he firmly believes in Ziyech’s talent and potential.
The decisive victory over Congo keeps Morocco at the top of Group E with 9 points, maintaining a perfect record in the qualifiers.
Regragui’s unwavering support for Ziyech and the player’s brilliant performance are expected to boost the team’s morale as they continue their campaign for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
The message from Regragui was clear: despite the criticisms and doubts, Ziyech remains a vital part of the Moroccan national team, and his recent performance reaffirms his importance.
Coupe du monde 2026 (Q) : 6-0, la réponse rugissante du Maroc ! https://t.co/VZMftRL0F9 pic.twitter.com/1r8VURlQEv
— Afrik-Foot (@afrikfoot) June 11, 2024
