Rabat – Morocco’s superstar Achraf Hakimi received an unexpected gift during his appearance on The Bridge podcast: a towel and an AFCON trophy replica.
Aurélien Tchouameni gifted him the replica trophy alongside the towel.
“It’s warm here,” Hakimi said as he burst into laughter after being handed the gifts.
Hakimi embraced the joke and accepted both items, including the AFCON trophy replica, even though he may not need the imitation version.
On March 17, the Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s Appeal Board declared Morocco the winner of the AFCON final under articles 82 and 84 of CAF regulations.
The official trophy is expected to be brought home once the case—now in the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)—receives its final verdict.
The towel reference stems from what reports describe as controversial incidents in which Hakimi, some Moroccan players, and ball boys removed towels that opposing goalkeepers keep beside the net.
Observers said that such actions, sometimes even during penalty shootouts, raise questions about what tactical information could be placed there.
When Hakimi was asked whether the gifts brought back good memories, he replied, “Not good memories,” referencing the chaotic AFCON final, where Senegal caused disorder after their 15-minute withdrawal.
The decision to withdraw—incited by Pape Thiaw, Senegal’s coach—led to a controversial stoppage that caused panic and frustration not only among Morocco’s players but also fans.
Months after the controversy, CAF appeared to adjust its initial light sanctions, doing justice to the Moroccan team by announcing a forfeited win in favor of the Atlas Lions.
In the podcast, where Kylian Mbappé was also present, Hakimi said: “We are very happy. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time… even if the victory came this way… we won.”
Beyond the controversial AFCON final, The Bridge also discussed Hakimi’s friendship with his former teammate Mbappé. “It’s not easy to find friends who share the same things… There are people who have their families, their children,” he said.
For Hakimi, it was easier to build a friendship with Mbappé.
“It was easier. He’s single. It’s true that we share many common things; it’s easier for me to be more at ease and natural.”
Mbappé responded, stating that his friendship with Hakimi “happened naturally.”
“So it’s something that just happened, something that we did not force or search for. The first few days I was talking to you, we were not doing anything particularly special. We were playing PlayStation like crazy.”
Hakimi and Mbappé also recalled their TikTok videos. Mbappé acknowledged that the two have around 150 archived TikTok videos that they never released. Hakimi and Mbappé shared not only the pitch but also family visits. Mbappé also visited Morocco during the AFCON, watching the Atlas Lions’ games.