In a lighthearted moment during his appearance on The Bridge podcast, Morocco’s football sensation Achraf Hakimi was presented with an unexpected gift. Aurélien Tchouameni, a fellow Moroccan player, surprised Hakimi with a replica of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy and a towel. As Hakimi burst into laughter upon receiving the gifts, he quipped, “It’s warm here,” referencing the heat in the studio. The Moroccan defender embraced the joke and accepted both items, even the replica AFCON trophy, suggesting that he appreciated the gesture regardless of its practicality.
The gift comes in the wake of Morocco’s victory in the AFCON final, which was declared under articles 82 and 84 of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations on March 17. The official trophy is still pending as the case is currently under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The towel, however, has a deeper significance.
It was mentioned in the context of controversial incidents involving Hakimi, some Moroccan players, and ball boys who reportedly removed towels from opposing goalkeepers’sides of the net. These actions, particularly during penalty shootouts, have raised questions about potential tactical information that could be concealed in the towels.
Reflecting on the gifts, Hakimi acknowledged that they did not bring back good memories, referencing the chaotic AFCON final where Senegal caused disorder after withdrawing for 15 minutes. The withdrawal, incited by Senegal’s coach Pape Thiaw, led to a controversial stoppage that caused panic and frustration among Morocco’s players and fans. Despite the controversy, CAF later adjusted its sanctions, announcing a forfeited win in favor of the Atlas Lions. During the podcast, Hakimi expressed his happiness over the victory, emphasizing that he had been waiting for this moment for a long time, regardless of how the win was achieved.
In addition to discussing the AFCON victory, The Bridge podcast also delved into Hakimi’s friendship with his former teammate Kylian Mbappé. Hakimi noted that finding friends who share the same interests can be challenging, but he found it easier to build a bond with Mbappé, who is also single. The pair also shared their experiences outside of football, including family visits. Mbappé, who visited Morocco during the AFCON, expressed his admiration for the Atlas Lions’performance.
