Walid Al -Rakraki, the coach of the Moroccan national team, continued to exclude the star Hakim Ziyash from the list of “Atlas Lions” announced today, Thursday, August 28, 2025, in preparation for the confrontations of Niger and Zambia in the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, with his assertion that absence for purely sporting reasons.
The reason for the absence of Hakim Ziyash from the Morocco list
Al -Rarkaki explained at the press conference that Ziash was present in the expanded list, but he did not enter the final squad for the next camp, stressing that the player’s return is conditional on resolving his football future and restoring competitive readiness. He said: «Ziash was present in the expanded list, but he is absent from the final list, waiting for his next destination to resolve and regain the competitiveness that guarantees him to be with us.
What is the position of Rakraki on Ziyash after his departure from Al -Duhail?
The Moroccan national team coach pointed out that the veteran playmaker has become a free player after the end of his career with Al -Duhail Club, and he is coming to an important decision in his football career, adding: “He is now a free player after leaving Al -Duhail Club, and he knows that his next choice will be very important, because we aspire to see the best version of him again.”
Are there personal differences behind exclusion?
Al -Rakraki was keen to clarify that the absence of Ziash is not related to any reasons outside the green rectangle, saying: “I do not want anyone to search for non -sporting reasons for the absence of Ziyash, because they are simply not present. Hakim is a player I love, and I wish him success in his next step. ”
What about the future of Ayoub Bouadi with the Moroccan national team?
Regarding the young player Ayoub Bouadi, Al -Rarkaki stressed that he puts him in the team’s plans in the near future, explaining: “He is a young player that we are waiting for in the coming periods.” He added: “We should not press the young players, but rather leave them the space for growth and development gradually, and certainly, the door will be open in the face at any time.”
