HIBAPRESS – Sports
Achraf Hakimi, the captain of the Moroccan national football team, broke his silence following the loss of the African Cup of Nations title to the Senegalese national team in the final match hosted by the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat last Sunday, directing a lengthy message in which he expressed his feelings after a period he described as "difficult" that he experienced with his teammates.
Hakimi confirmed, through a post published on his official social media accounts, that the Moroccan national team gave their utmost throughout the stages of the tournament, stressing that the players defended the name of Morocco with pride, and succeeded in instilling hope in the hearts of millions of Moroccans inside and outside the country, despite the disappointment of losing the title. The captain of the "Atlas Lions" began his message by thanking King Mohammed VI, praising the great efforts made to organize an exceptional edition of the African Cup of Nations, which he considered the best in the history of the competition, thanks to the sound vision and continuous support of national football. Hakimi also expressed his gratitude to Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, noting his constant confidence in the national team and his continuous accompaniment of the "Lions" journey during the continental competition. The team captain singled out the Moroccan fans with special praise, describing them as the "twelfth player," and confirming that their support was crucial in difficult moments, when fatigue intensified and psychological pressure increased, indicating that the players felt the support of Moroccans around the world. On the technical level, Hakimi expressed his thanks and gratitude to national coach Walid Regragui and all members of the technical staff, along with his fellow players, highlighting that the group had gone through an experience that lasted for 35 days of continuous work, discipline, sacrifice, and unity, in a strong human and sporting path, which confirmed that Morocco does not only participate for the sake of competition, but also for inspiration. The captain of the "Atlas Lions" stressed that losing the title does not represent the end of the road, but rather forms a solid ground for building for the future, confirming that the national team has become today a strong, respected, and admired team, and that the upcoming horizons remain promising if the same spirit and ambition are maintained. Achraf Hakimi concluded his post with a message of optimism in which he said: "The future is bright, and Morocco will continue to move forward with its head held high… Dima Maghrib."
