France, Dec. 30 -- Hakimi, 27, had been on the sidelines during Morocco's first two matches against Cormoros and Mali.

On the eve of their third match in Group A, Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his skipper would be deployed during the game at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

And the 50-year-old former Morocco international honoured his word.

Morocco boss Regragui includes injured PSG star Hakimi in Cup of Nations squad

Hakimi, injured playing for his club Paris Saint-Germain during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich on 4 November, came on as a replacement for Noussair Mazraoui.

At the time of his arrival, Morocco were 3-0 up. Ayoub El Kaabi opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Brahim Diaz doubled the ad...