Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has commented on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi’s call-up for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers despite the injury to his right thigh, saying the French club remains in regular contact with the national team to monitor his condition.
Hakimi missed Sunday’s 2-1 win over Olympique de Marseille in the fifth round of Ligue 1 after suffering a slight right-thigh injury a week earlier during the 1-0 victory over Brest.
Despite the injury, Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi included Hakimi in the squad for the upcoming training camp ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“I have complete confidence in him. He cannot play in the next international match. I think he is suspended. But we are in contact with the national team. We understand how important playing for the national teams is for players. I am happy that he is joining the national team, but we did not want to take any risks in any way. Health comes first. We will remain in regular contact, as we always do,” Luis Enrique said at the press conference following the Marseille match.
Ouahbi had stressed Hakimi’s importance to the squad and his role as captain of the Atlas Lions on Thursday during the press conference held to announce the national team squad, in response to a question about his call-up despite the injury.
Hakimi has since resumed individual training, according to Paris Saint-Germain, as he gradually works his way back into full training without putting his health at risk.
Morocco will face Gabon in Rabat on September 25 before taking on Lesotho in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on September 29 in the first two rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Atlas Lions will then face Ghana in a friendly on October 4 in Tangier.
