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From December 21, 2025, Morocco will vibrate to the rhythm of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAN). By organizing this continental event for the first time, the Kingdom intends to set the bar very high in terms of organization, with an equally ambitious sporting objective: winning the second CAN in its history.
A quest that requires laying solid foundations upstream. In this sense, the year 2024 has proven to be decisive in many respects. A year which had started very badly before ending on a high note. Indeed, it is difficult to take stock of the year 2024 for the Atlas Lions without mentioning their painful elimination in the round of 16 of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, against South Africa (2- 0).
A disillusionment that lives up to the expectations aroused by the formidable epic of the 2022 World Cup. Despite the rain of criticism which fell as much on its players as on its choices, the national coach, Walid Regragui, was able to quickly remobilize his troops after having taken responsibility for an elimination that was, to say the least, unexpected, synonymous with the latest defeat for the national eleven.
From, Regragui’s men are undefeated in ten matches, conceding only one draw (0-0 against Mauritania). They currently have eight consecutive victories, a positive dynamic during which the coach has focused on five key players:
– Yassine Bounou : 662 minutes in 8 matches;
– Ashraf Hakimi: 810 minutes in 9 matches;
– Nayef Aguerd : 867 minutes in 10 matches;
– Sofyan Amrabat: 615 minutes in 7 matches;
– Azzedine Ounahi : 626 minutes in 10 matches.
An average of 3.5 goals per match
On a statistical level, between the gatherings of March and November 2024, counting for the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2025 CAN, Brahim Diaz’s teammates found the net 35 times, an average of 3.5 goals per match. They outperformed, with their average xG score being 1.91.
Defensively, Yassine Bounou only lost twice (0.78 xG against). However, during this post-CAN 2023 period, the performances of the Atlas Lions initially left a bitter taste to the public. This is evidenced by the offensive difficulties encountered against Mauritania and Lesotho (1-0), but also the defensive weaknesses during the double confrontation against Gabon.
The Atlas Lions’ defensive ship pitched several times under the speed of the Gabonese attackers, but did not capsize or take on water. Indeed, in the end, the national team only conceded two small goals in ten matches. An impermeability that it owes in large part to its doorman, Yassine Bounou, author of several decisive judgments.
The upheavals of the Atlas Lions rearguard are not the result of chance. Indeed, these last months were placed under the sign of a laboratory assumed by Walid Regragui. The coach was driven by several objectives: laying the foundations for an expanded group of 30 to 35 players capable of winning CAN 2025, bringing out new leaders and giving experience to the new generation to prepare for the future.
The first international window of 2025, scheduled for March, with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, could still serve to give playing time to new faces, but in homeopathic doses. Because the staff of the national team has already switched to the construction of a regularly aligned eleven, with few changes between matches, in preparation for CAN 2025.
Thus, making room for new elements seems more and more difficult, even if the advent of new talents could lead Walid Regragui to adapt. In the meantime, the coach seems to have some set ideas, starting with the goalkeeper position.
An eleven type that emerges
“We have two great goalkeepers, Yassine Bounou and Munir El Kajouiin a position where players often have a fairly long career. I think they have at least two or three years ahead of them. Currently, we have no need in this sector.” he said during a previous press conference. In central defense, it’s a completely different story.
While he is no longer in the coach’s favor, Romain Saïss left a big void in the heart of the Moroccan rearguard. A void that would normally be filled by Chadi Riad, whose convincing performances in the jersey of Betis Sevilla (Liga) pushed the London club Crystal Palace (Premier League) to put 15 million euros on the table to secure his services.
But after a single match played, a knee injury took the 22-year-old left-hander away from the pitch, which he has still not set foot on since last August. “Chadi Riad’s injury disrupted our continuity. But on the other hand, absences offer the opportunity for other players to show what they can bring,” said the Moroccan technician.
To replace him, Walid Regragui first launched Abdel Abqar, whose disappointing performances subsequently opened the door to Jamal Harkass. The Wydad Casablanca defender did not miss his chance. Since his first summons in October, the native of Figuig made four starts for one goal, alongside the indestructible Nayef Aguerd.
Despite some lapses in concentration, Jamal Harkass offered enough guarantees to claim a starting place, especially if Chadi Riad does not find optimal form. Two other players are also almost certain to be on the scoresheet.
The versatile Noussair Mazraoui seems to be Walid Regragui’s preferred choice at left back, even if Raja player, Youssef Belammari (RCA), ideally launched his career with the national team by offering an assist in his first selection, on October 12 against the Central African Republic.
Achraf Hakimi asserts himself on and off the field
There is also no debate over who will occupy the right flank of the national team. Nominated among the five candidates for the African Golden Ball, Achraf Hakimi certainly did not win a European title, unlike the winner, the Nigerian Ademola Lookman (Atalanta Bergamo).
However, the right back of Paris Saint-Germain has asserted himself as a member of the locker room in the selection and greatly contributed to the bronze medal won by the national Olympic team during the 2024 Olympics. He seems to have reached a new milestone and even had the privilege of wearing the captain’s armband with the Atlas Lions.
In the midfield, Sofyan Amrabat does not weaken. The defensive midfielder is always a ball recovery machine, to harass and win duels, both on the ground and in the air. The dependence of the national eleven on Amrabat is such that in the event of his absence, Walid Regragui would find himself in an unenviable situation.
In the absence of Oussama Azzouzi, whose profile corresponds to the requirements of the position, no other player has managed to do well. Neither Oussama Targhalline nor Amir Richardson have proven that they can replace their elder at short notice, whose complicity with Azzedine Ounahi seems to have a bright future ahead of it.
Especially since the latter found form following his departure for Greece (Panathinaikos) from Olympique de Marseille. In the traditional 4-3-3 system of coach Walid Regragui, Eliesse Ben Seghir is the third piece of the midfield puzzle. In a more advanced position, as an attacking midfielder, Ben Seghir has surpassed the stage of promise.
By counting three goals and two assists in eight caps, the 19-year-old right-hander has not yet reached his full potential, but relying in particular on percussion qualities and unparalleled technicality, he is one of the best players of his generation. His proximity to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, always so confusing, sparks.
After having experienced immense difficulty in finding solutions for defenses grouped around a low block for a long time, the Atlas Lions have finally managed to find the recipe to string together victories as large as they are convincing, including the one that left its mark, away to Gabon (1-5).
Paradoxically, it is the absence of a player in particular which counted enormously in the new offensive momentum of the national team. No longer summoned since the September rally, Hakim Ziyech is paying for his starving playing time (320 minutes, 10% of minutes played) in Turkey (Galatasaray).
Brahim Diaz clearly benefited from the downgrading of Ziyech
“Hakim has played very little. He needs to get back to his best form before coming back, because there is more competition in this position. So, I have more of a choice not to call up players who lack playing time.” affirmed the coach to justify the absence of Ziyech, who seems to have missed the train which leads the national team towards CAN 2025.
Brahim Diaz clearly benefited from the downgrading of Ziyech. Less predictable,Madrid striker continues to make his mark on an offensive sector who was moribund in sequences. Involved in 7 goals and 2 assists in just eight caps, Diaz has given the national team more variety on the right side.
More technical, more lively and clearly more comfortable than his teammate in small spaces, the striker made Hakim Ziyech forget in the wide spaces, all the more so given his complicity with Soufiane Rahimi. Top scorer of the last Olympic football tournament, the Al Ain (UAE) striker left Walid Regragui no other choice than make room for him within the national eleven. And he gave it back.
Beyond his statistical contribution (4 goals and 2 assists in his last six caps), there is also everything we don’t see: his calls to open spaces, his ability to fix opposing defenses and his play with his back to goal. In short, Soufiane Rahimi has proven that he has all the qualities to occupy the position of center forward for the national team.
With his versatility, he is also able to be aligned as a right or left winger to make room for Ayoub El Kaabi and Youssef En-Nesyri. The first named is one of the most prolific strikers in Europe (15 goals and 4 assists in 24 matches), while the latter is gradually returning to his best level (9 goals and 3 assists in 24 matches).
That said, we credit his coach, José Mourinho, with the desire to repatriate another center forward to the banks of the Bosphorus, which could slow down the return to favor of Youssef En-Nesyri. Especially since the latter already faces strong competition from Edin Dzeko. A situation which is reminiscent of that of the national team where nothing is ever acquired, despite the last few successful months. Even more so in view of the next decisive deadlines where Morocco will not only have to punch its ticket for the 2026 World Cup, but also win the CAN 2025 at home. A non-negotiable objective.
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