Walid Regragui, coach of the Moroccan national team, held a press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in the city of Sale, to talk about the preparations for the matches between Gabon and Lesotho in the fifth and sixth rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He also touched on some details related to the players, led by Hakim Ziyech, a player. Turkish club Galatasaray, which was absent from the national team’s call-up list.
Regragui explained in his speech to the press that Ziyech’s absence was due to his lack of complete readiness, as he said: “I called Hakim and discussed the situation with him. He played about 20 minutes since the last camp in September, and this is not enough to be at the required level of competitiveness.” He added: “Ziyech needs to regain his level with his team, and when he returns to his usual readiness, he will have a place in the national team. We do not have any personal disputes with him or with any other player.”
Regragui pointed out that the competitiveness within the Moroccan national team has become greater compared to the past, as the levels of the players currently present have developed, saying: “The team has changed and the competitiveness as well, and there are many new names proving themselves in various positions. But this does not mean that we do not take the position of every player.” Taking this into account, even if he does not play regularly with his club, according to what his position and our need for him require.”
Regragui also spoke about the absence of other players due to injury, such as Elias Akhoumache, stressing that their absence opens the way for the emergence of other players and provides the opportunity for young talents to prove their worth. He concluded his speech by emphasizing that there are no personal or technical problems with any player in the national team.
