""Without Hakimi we could have done better, but Mazraoui is fantastic," Regragui told ESPN. "I place him in the hierarchy as strong as Achraf, even if he has different qualities. "We still need Hakimi, he's one of the best players in Africa and in the world, there's no team in the world that can't play without their best player," he continued. "This style of game would have suited Hakimi today, he would have helped us in wide areas.""
"Despite talking up Hakimi's chances of a return to action for the first time in seven weeks ahead of the game, the Paris Saint-Germain defender ultimately remained on the bench, with Mazraoui starting in his place at right-back and contributing the assist for Diaz's 55th-minute opener. The 27-year-old has not played since sustaining a severe left-ankle sprain during Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League match against Bayern Munich."
Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations opener at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi scoring. Achraf Hakimi remained on the bench after a seven-week absence following a severe left-ankle sprain sustained in a Champions League match, and the team did not risk playing him. Noussair Mazraoui started at right-back, provided the assist for Díaz's 55th-minute goal, and received high praise from coach Walid Regragui, who placed Mazraoui alongside Hakimi in the defensive hierarchy while stressing Hakimi's continued importance.
Read at ESPN.com
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