Suspended for Africa Cup of Nations, Hakimi joins Morocco anyway despite injury

Achraf Hakimi will join the Lions of the Atlas on Wednesday at the Mohammed VI Complex in Maâmora, despite a right thigh injury and a suspension that will rule him out of Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against Gabon in Rabat.

The Morocco captain received a two-match ban — one suspended — following the towel incident involving Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy during the Africa Cup of Nations final. His PSG teammate Ismail Saibari, handed an additional one-match ban (two firm, one suspended), also arrives on Wednesday: he too will be absent against Gabon. These CAF suspensions did not apply to FIFA matches, which is why both players were able to compete in the 2026 World Cup without issue.

On the physical front, the right thigh injury sustained a week ago forced Hakimi to withdraw from the Ligue 1 Classique between Marseille and PSG. However, PSG’s staff did not oppose his call-up. “We have a connection with the Morocco national team to know his condition, and we know how important it is for players to play for their national team. I’m happy he can go,” Luis Enrique said after the match.

Hakimi could make his competitive return in the trip to South Africa on September 29. The gathering will conclude with a friendly against Ghana on October 4 in Tangier — the only fixture at which Ismail Saibari would be likely to participate.