Morocco coach Walid Regragui has clarified the status of key players ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group A clash against Mali on December 26, 2025. Regragui dismissed reports of an injury to defender Nayef Aguerd, stating definitively that the center-back is fit and ready for the match. "Who told you Aguerd is injured? He's training as usual and has no problems," Regragui told reporters, setting the record straight.
However, Regragui confirmed that captain Romain Saiss will miss the game due to a muscle injury. Saiss sustained the injury during their tournament opener against Comoros. In addition, Achraf Hakimi, the recent African Player of the Year, is recovering from an ankle problem he picked up while playing for Paris St Germain last month. Regragui indicated that Hakimi might feature briefly in the game against Mali. "Hakimi is doing well and we'll make the best decision for him," Regragui stated.
The coach also spoke highly of 19-year-old defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, calling him "a great talent". Regragui revealed he has been monitoring Ait Boudlal for years, even calling him up a year and a half ago when he was a substitute at Rennes, a decision that drew criticism at the time. "Today, everyone is praising him – that shows our vision is long-term," Regragui commented. He also cautioned against rushing the young player's development, saying, "We must not burn the player. We'll use him at the right time. We'll see if he starts tomorrow or comes in later".
Ait Boudlal himself expressed confidence, stating, "We know the responsibility we carry. Every game is tough and requires full concentration. We listen carefully to the coach's instructions and aim to deliver a performance that meets fans' expectations".
Morocco began their AFCON campaign with a 2-0 victory over Comoros. A win against Mali at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat would secure their qualification for the next round. Regragui acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match, saying, "It will be a tough match against a strong team".
The match between Morocco and Mali is significant, with Morocco having a slight historical edge, winning nine and losing six of their 20 encounters. Their last meeting was in 2018 when Morocco won 6-0. Mali's last victory against Morocco was in 2006. Morocco is currently on an 18-game undefeated streak at home. Mali drew their opening game 1-1 against Zambia.
