A social media photo of Achraf Hakimi in Rabat this week brought relief and excitement to Moroccan football fans as the country prepares to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender appeared relaxed, dressed casually in sunglasses, a red, white and black sweater, loose-fitting jeans and dark suede trainers. More important than what he was wearing, however, was what he was not: the surgical boot that had encased his left foot just weeks earlier.

Hakimi had been wearing the boot when he collected his African Player of the Year award in Morocco last month, after suffering a badly sprained ankle during a UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich in November. A reckless challenge by Bayern winger Luis Diaz left Hakimi hobbling off the pitch, raising immediate doubts over his availability for the AFCON.

Despite Diaz being sent off, the focus quickly shifted to Hakimi’s fitness. His difficulty walking during the Confederation of African Football awards ceremony in Rabat underlined the seriousness of the injury.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s best right-backs, Hakimi is central to Morocco’s hopes of ending a near 50-year wait for a second AFCON title. The Atlas Lions last lifted the trophy in 1976.

Morocco, ranked Africa’s top team since their historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, remain cautious about rushing their captain back. Hakimi arrived in Morocco accompanied by a PSG doctor and physiotherapist and continues his rehabilitation, with hopes he may return to training later this week.

Speculation remains widespread over when he might be fit to play. Morocco coach Walid Regragui has stressed that no risks will be taken, even if that means Hakimi missing the entire group stage.

The hosts begin their campaign against Comoros on Sunday before facing Mali on December 26 and Zambia three days later, with all three matches scheduled for Rabat’s 68,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Mali are expected to provide the toughest test, although Morocco are still widely tipped to finish in the top two and progress to the knockout rounds. The round of 16 begins on January 3, which could mark Hakimi’s return.

“He is our leader, our captain,” said Regragui, the first African coach to guide a team to a World Cup semi-final.

Despite their status as an African powerhouse, Morocco’s AFCON record since their 1976 triumph has been modest. They have reached only one final in that period, losing to Tunisia, the hosts in 2004, with Regragui then playing at right-back.

Morocco arrived at last year’s tournament in Ivory Coast as favourites but were eliminated by South Africa in the round of 16.

This time, they enter the competition in formidable form, having won a world-record 18 consecutive matches across competitive and friendly fixtures. They broke Spain’s previous record in October with a World Cup qualifying win over Congo Brazzaville and have since beaten Mozambique and Uganda in AFCON warm-up matches.

Backed by some of the most passionate supporters in African football and buoyed by home advantage, Morocco are once again favourites to lift the trophy. However, history suggests hosting the tournament offers no guarantees.

Since 2000, only three host nations — Tunisia, Egypt in 2006, and Ivory Coast in 2024 — have gone on to win the title.

Morocco’s chances of becoming the fourth this century would be significantly boosted if Hakimi regains full fitness in time to lead the Atlas Lions in their quest for continental glory.