Morocco Coach Confirms Nayef Aguerd Fit Ahead of AFCON Clash Against Mali

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has firmly dismissed speculation surrounding an injury to central defender Nayef Aguerd, confirming that the player is fully fit and available for selection ahead of Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations Group A match against Mali. Addressing the media, Regragui clarified that Aguerd has been training normally with the squad and has shown no signs of fitness concerns, putting an end to circulating reports suggesting otherwise.

While Aguerd is set to feature, Morocco will be without captain Romain Saiss, who has been ruled out after sustaining a muscle injury during the team’s opening match against Comoros. The absence of Saiss is a setback for the Atlas Lions, given his leadership and defensive experience, but the coaching staff remains confident in the squad’s depth.

Regragui also provided an update on Achraf Hakimi, who is recovering from an ankle injury picked up while playing for Paris Saint-Germain last month. The Moroccan coach said Hakimi is progressing well and could be included in the match, although his minutes will be carefully managed to avoid any risk of aggravation. He emphasized that the final decision on Hakimi’s involvement would be taken with the player’s long-term fitness in mind.

The Morocco coach took the opportunity to praise young defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, describing the 19-year-old as a special talent with a bright future. Regragui revealed that he has been monitoring Ait Boudlal’s development for several years and defended his earlier decision to call him into the national setup when the player was still a substitute at club level, a move that initially drew criticism. He stressed that the national team follows a long-term vision focused on nurturing talent rather than rushing young players into high-pressure roles.

Regragui noted that Ait Boudlal will be used carefully, depending on the demands of the match, and hinted that a decision would be made on whether the youngster starts or is introduced later in the game. The defender himself echoed his coach’s confidence, saying the team understands the responsibility of representing Morocco and is fully focused on delivering disciplined and committed performances in every match.

Morocco began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Comoros and now have the opportunity to secure qualification for the knockout stages with a win against Mali. The Group A encounter will be played at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where a challenging contest is expected against a physically strong and competitive Malian side. Regragui acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture, stressing that full concentration and intensity will be required to achieve another positive result.