Hakimi Starts as Morocco Unleashes Firepower Against Cameroon
9 January 2026
Match Preview
Walid Regragui, the Morocco head coach, decided to keep the same starting XI that faced Tanzania in AFCON 2025.
The Atlas Lions prepare for a fierce test against Cameroon, this Friday, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, in a highly anticipated quarter-final.
Leading the Moroccan lineup is winger and captain Achraf Hakimi, alongside Ibrahim Diaz, the tournament's current top scorer with 4 goals.
Sofiane Amrabat remains out of the squad for the third consecutive match.
The official lineup for the Atlas Lions against Cameroon is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou.
Defence: Achraf Hakimi - Noussair Mazraoui - Adam Masina - Nayef Aguerd.
Midfield: Nayel El-Aynaoui - Bilal Khennous - Ismail Sibaari.
Attack: Ibrahim Diaz - Ayoub Kaabi - Abdessamad Zaazouli.
Regragui bets on this balanced lineup to push for the continental title on home soil, facing a historically experienced knockout opponent.
Punchlines: With Hakimi on the field, the opposition defender's pockets will feel light, because the Moroccan wizard always leaves them spellbound.
Punchline 2: If Morocco wins, the trophy might need a bigger trophy cabinet; if not, the snack bar will still be undefeated in Rabat.
