Achraf Hakimi, captain of the Moroccan national team, sent a clear message to the fans following the draw against Mali in the second round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, emphasizing the importance of supporting the team throughout their journey in the tournament.

Hakimi explained, during the press conference preceding the next match, that the national team faced a strong opponent, noting that the Africa Cup of Nations is always challenging and does not have easy matches. He added that understanding the expectations of the fans and the media is natural, but achieving victories requires patience and continuous effort.

The captain of the "Atlas Lions" confirmed that the team is progressing from one match to the next, emphasizing that the coaching staff is making great efforts to improve performance, and affirming that the true form of the team will become clearer in the upcoming matches.

Hakimi also touched on what happened during halftime in some matches, expressing his dissatisfaction with certain reactions and emphasizing that playing on home soil requires everyone’s combined efforts and respect for the opponent, especially if the goal is serious competition for the title.

The captain of the Moroccan national team concluded his statements by emphasizing that the team is gradually gaining confidence with each match, noting that fan and media support is a key element in continuing the journey and achieving the team's ambitions in the tournament.