Tag: AFCON

African player of the year Achraf Hakimi will make his first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when hosts Morocco play Zambia on Monday, coach Walid Regragui confirmed.

“What he has done to come back is extraordinary. What I can say is that Achraf will play tomorrow,” Regragui said Sunday in Rabat, on the eve of Morocco’s last group game.

“Whether he starts or not, it will be his first match at the AFCON.

“What we want — because we want to go as far as possible — is that Achraf progresses with the team and that we can keep him for the whole competition.”

Hakimi has not played since suffering an ankle injury in action for Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of November and was an unused substitute in Morocco’s first two matches at the Cup of Nations.

Without him, Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in the tournament’s opening game before being held to a 1-1 draw by Mali on Friday.

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They sit top of Group A with four points from two outings and a win against Zambia will allow them to advance to the last 16 in first place in their section. A draw will also guarantee their spot in the knockout phase.

“I think people don’t realise what Achraf brings to our team,” Regragui added.

“We have played two games without our best player, our leader and captain, but we have not hidden. Other players have stood in for him.

“But would we be a different team with Achraf? Of course. He is the best player in Africa, one of the best in the world.”

Hakimi admitted his frustration at not having taken part in either of the first two matches and said he was disappointed that Moroccan supporters had jeered the hosts during the draw against Mali.

“We know it is not easy sometimes, that they want us to win and finish games by half-time, but we have to respect our opponents too,” said the defender who helped PSG win the Champions League last season.

“It is not normal for them to boo us. We want to have the supporters behind us.

“I experienced that at Paris Saint-Germain when we were not winning in the Champions League, we were losing games, people said we were not a great team and didn’t have a great coach, but we went on to be champions of Europe.

“If the fans are behind us we can be champions of Africa together.”

Meanwhile, Hakimi added he was delighted to see his friend and former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, now with Real Madrid, in the crowd at the match against Mali.

“It is really nice to see my friend here in my country. He really likes Morocco and comes here whenever he can with his family. He loves the food here!”

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Mohamed Salah scored as 10-man Egypt beat South Africa 1-0 in Agadir on Friday to become the first qualifiers for the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Liverpool star converted a penalty on 45 minute, and South Africa were denied a spot-kick late in the second half when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box.

Egypt were reduced to 10 men in the first-half added time when right-back Mohamed Hany was shown a second yellow card for a stamp, followed by a red.

After two rounds in Group B, record seven-time champions Egypt have six points and are guaranteed a top-two finish and a place in the round of 16.

South Africa have three points, and Angola and Zimbabwe one each after they drew 1-1 in Marrakesh earlier.

“I’m very happy with the result, for sure. It was a tough game; they dominated most of the time. It’s a team that can keep the ball for a long time, so I think we had a good game plan, it worked,” said Salah.

“We walked away with the three points, it’s the most important thing. The atmosphere is incredible. Hopefully, we can carry on like this.”

The first chance fell to Salah after 11 minutes, but he could not move forward quickly enough to connect with a low cross from Hany.

That the majority of the crowd were supporting the Pharaohs became obvious soon after when the Burundi referee ignored Zizo’s appeals for a free-kick, and loud whistling enveloped the stadium.

When Mohamed Salah delivered a free-kick into the heart of the South African area, three Egyptians darted forward, but none could connect with the ball.

Midway through the opening half, a pattern had developed, Egypt were pushing forward regularly while South Africa defended with calmness and solid tackling.

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When Teboho Mokoena fouled Omar Marmoush just outside the D, he was yellow-carded. However, the Manchester City striker fired the resultant free-kick wide.

As the first half progressed, the sun broke out in the southern coastal city, a welcome sight for players and spectators with many earlier group matches staged in torrential rain.

A rare South Africa attack ended disappointingly as Lyle Foster struck a weak shot that was comfortably saved by 37-year-old Mohamed El Shenawy.

Awarded a free-kick close to the touchline, South Africa performed an intricate, multi-pass move that ended tamely as El Shenawy clutched a cross.

Salah was being closely policed by Aubrey Modiba, and as half-time drew near, the Liverpool star retreated into the Egyptian half to retain possession.

Then, as the Egypt captain chased a loose ball with Khuliso Mudau, the South African right-back raised his left arm, striking an eye of Salah.

Amid Egyptian protests, the Burundian referee viewed the incident on a VAR monitor and pointed to the penalty spot.

A lengthy delay before the kick was taken could not have eased the nerves of Salah, but he comfortably converted the penalty as Ronwen Williams dived in the wrong direction.

More drama erupted in added time when Hany stamped on Mokoena, leading to a second yellow card for the defender.

South Africa, with a numerical advantage, attacked more as the second half progressed, but Egypt came close to a second goal with Williams foiling substitute Emam Ashour after a quick free-kick.

El Shenawy displayed his agility with 15 minutes remaining, using his right hand to tip to safety a low shot from Foster. It was one of several saves that kept Egypt ahead.

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