Nigeria Clash Looms: Regragui's Delicate Orchestration of Ibrahim Diaz's Injury
12 January 2026
Injury management ahead of Nigeria clash
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has placed Ibrahim Diaz on a tailored training and recovery plan after a minor thigh strain he sustained in the Cameroon quarterfinal. The decision comes with caution and a touch of patience, because you don\'t want to train a problem into a bigger problem.
Diaz\'s impact and the Nigeria clash
Diaz reported the issue due to the heavy workload he endured in the AFCON quarterfinal, where Cameroon won 2-0 and Diaz opened the scoring. The technical staff are working to have him fully ready for the Nigeria match, to ensure he can show his best and help the team reach the final, a prospect Moroccan fans are eagerly awaiting.
Return to form and AFCON ambitions
Diaz had only light training after Cameroon as part of a careful plan to avoid complications and guarantee a gradual return to competition. Diaz sits atop AFCON\'s current scoring chart with 5 goals this edition.
Punchlines: If Diaz heals this quickly, the medical team should start charging him rent for the extra time they spend on him. And if Regragui\'s plan works, Nigeria may need a bigger trophy cabinet — this match might be decided in the warm-up.
