Morocco Coach Regragui Defends Ziyech Amid Fan Criticism, Praises Striker’s Legacy

"I have a special relationship with Ziyech like with all the players, but Hakim remains Hakim, but sometimes I am hurt by the public because they quickly forget what the players have done, and they want to replace them quickly," Regragui said at his post-match press conference against Congo, which ended in a crushing victory for the Atlas Lions (6-0).

He added: "We have the third all-time top scorer for the Moroccan national team (Ziyech) who is 31 years old and plays for Galatasaray. He can make mistakes like any player, but since he made a mistake in the last game, some say they no longer want Hakim. Yes, we can see another player, but Ziyech remains Ziyech, he is a wonderful player."

"I could have followed the public’s opinion by not including Hakim in the match, but Ziyech feels the love and if you give him that, he will return it. The player who deserves to sit down will sit down, but the player who has the abilities that help us, I will remain confident in him, because he is an element who has something that other players don’t have."

The Moroccan coach said he had spoken with Ziyech after the match against Zambia and asked him to "accept the criticism" and "respond on the pitch." Advice that helped the player deliver a better performance against Congo. "I think today (Tuesday, editor’s note) he (Ziyech) helped us in his position," Regragui assured, expressing the wish that Ziyech "surpasses Salaheddine Bassir and becomes the second top scorer of the national team."