Moroccan national team coach Walid Regragui explained why Hakim Ziyech, a Galatasaray player, was left out of Morocco’s squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. In a press conference on Tuesday, Regragui stated that Ziyech was not physically fit, having been sidelined for nearly two months and only playing 20 minutes in his most recent match.
The coach added that he had spoken directly with Ziyech to avoid any misunderstanding, highlighting the contradictory reactions: « I was criticized for including Ziyech when he was unfit, and now that he’s excluded for the same reason, questions arise about his absence! »
Regragui also mentioned the intense competition among players in the squad, thanks to their strong performances in their respective clubs, and noted that technical aspects of the team have evolved.
On players with dual nationality who are uncertain about their future national team choice, Regragui stated, “If a player wants to play for another team, that’s their decision.” He emphasized that representing Morocco should come from a place of pride.
