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Rabat – Achraf Hakimi will not feature with the Moroccan national team in today’s clash against Lesotho in the final round of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The game is set to take place tonight at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco.
Hakimi’s absence was confirmed after he missed the national team’s last training session on Sunday, SNRT News reported. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) granted him permission to return to his club Paris Saint Germain (PSG), in what appears to be a gesture of goodwill between the federation and the French club, the report said.
SNRT News quoted an “official source” as saying that this arrangement stems from a prior agreement between FRMF and PSG. The French club allowed Hakimi to participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics with Morocco’s U-23 team, where the player played a crucial role. In return, the Moroccan federation agreed to release him for PSG commitments before the final match of the AFCON qualifiers.
Hakimi’s return to Paris is critical as PSG prepares for a packed schedule. The team faces Toulouse FC on Friday in Ligue 1, followed by a high-stakes UEFA Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, November 26.
Meanwhile, the Moroccan national team, already qualified for the tournament as hosts, aims to conclude the qualifiers on a high note. Despite Hakimi’s absence, the team is confident in securing a positive result against Lesotho.
The Atlas Lions currently lead Group B standings with 15 points after thrashing second place holders Gabon 5-1 in the previous round of the AFCON qualifiers on Saturday.
