Soccer
Achraf Hakimi Morocco looks on . Photo by DeFodi ImagesxImago
Former Super Eagles and Santa Clara midfielder Garba Lawal has identified an ordeal that could derail Morocco’s performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the semi-final of the Copa Mundial, achieving the feat at the previous edition in Qatar, before eventually losing to France.
They kicked off their 2026 campaign with a brilliant performance against Brazil, impressing and showing they can replicate the same run they embarked on four years ago.
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Soccer Hakimi’s case can derail Morocco – Garba Lawal
Morocco’s captain, Achraf Hakimi, is set to stand trial for rape after a woman accused the Paris St-Germain star of raping her in his Paris apartment three years ago.
The former Borussia Dortmund defender has maintained his innocence, claiming he’s glad justice will soon prevail.
“The justice system looked me in the eye and said, ‘If you weren’t famous, there would never have been a case,’” Hakimi wrote on his X page on Friday.
“I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that maintaining my dignity, being patient, and trusting in the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.
“Today, a story that isn’t mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. I sometimes feel like I’ve become an easy target.
“I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m eagerly awaiting it. Finally, I’ll be able to speak,” the three-time UEFA Champions League winner concluded.
While Hakimi is keen on clearing his name, Garba Lawal, who represented Nigeria at two World Cup tournaments, believes the off-pitch noise surrounding the case could upset the African Champions mentally.
“I just can’t understand why it is coming up at this stage and it could be a distraction to him,” the former Roda JC midfielder said in an interview with Footy Africa.
“If someone is playing in the World Cup, leave him alone until after the tournament, you can bring it up.
“Nobody knows the full truth of the story, but he has a chance to clear his name, so let’s wait and see what really happened.”
“The player should be focused on representing his country. Let him play the tournament and see how it pans out. But I just can’t understand the timing,” Lawal continued.
“Of course, it’s a distraction to any team, but the team [Ghana] should cope without Partey.
“They once had players like Abedi Pele and Michael Essien, and they coped without them after retirement.
“However, this situation is different because this player is currently part of the squad. I
“If he wasn’t involved, it would be another matter. Right now, it’s World Cup time. Looking at the whole situation, the allegations are very troubling,” the 1996 Olympic Gold medallist concluded.
Morocco will play against Haiti in their final Group C game after defeating Scotland on Friday.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual CAF-Accredited sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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