Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has described playing the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil as a “positive responsibility”, as the Atlas Lions prepare for their tournament opener against Comoros on Sunday.

Speaking alongside head coach Walid Regragui ahead of the match, Hakimi said the squad is fully aware of the expectations that come with hosting AFCON and believes the pressure can serve as motivation rather than a burden.

“We’ve already discussed it with the team, we know what we need to do, we know our responsibility,” Hakimi said. “It’s a positive responsibility that motivates us to be ready for this competition and to continue what we’ve been doing for the past two years.”

The Paris Saint-Germain defender acknowledged that lessons had been learned since Morocco’s exit from the previous AFCON, stressing the importance of emotional control in front of home crowds. “We know we’re playing at home and that there are a lot of expectations, but we have to control ourselves and play as usual,” he said. “In the end, we just have to do what we know how to do, which is play football.”

For Hakimi, this year’s tournament carries added personal significance. The Comoros match will mark his fourth AFCON appearance, but the first in Morocco. “This is my fourth AFCON. I’m a veteran now,” he said with a smile. “But this one is different. It’s special because you’re playing at home, with your country, with your family, with all the Moroccans behind you. It gives extra motivation to defend our country and give everything for this shirt.”

Hakimi also reflected on his recent injury scare, admitting there was concern about missing the tournament altogether. “I was a little scared after my injury,” he said. “I didn’t want to miss this AFCON at home. From the very beginning, I told the coach I would do everything I could to be with the team. I feel ready now, but it’s the coach’s decision.”

Despite questions over his playing time, the captain insisted individual concerns are secondary to the team’s ambition. “I don’t think about individual things,” Hakimi said. “If I only play for one minute and my team wins, that’s enough for me. I only think about the team and about seeing Morocco win this Cup on 18 January.”

Morocco enter the tournament as one of the favourites, and Hakimi’s words underline a squad focused on unity, discipline and delivering success in front of their home supporters.

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