Vesper
ENESFRTR
Charts
Articles:SportsHealthHistoryTech
Africa

Morocco lose Ezzalzouli and Aguerd to injury before Brazil opener

Morocco have withdrawn forward Abde Ezzalzouli and defender Nayef Aguerd from their World Cup squad two days before the opener against Brazil. The 2022 semi-finalist Atlas Lions must rework their rotation plans for the Brazil clash on short notice.

Soccer training pitch and goalpost in evening light.
Soccer training pitch and goalpost in evening light.Photo: Anastasia Shuraeva / Pexels
BBC Africa2 h ago
ShareWhatsAppTelegramLinkedIn

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced on Friday evening that Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli and Real Sociedad defender Nayef Aguerd were withdrawn from the World Cup squad due to injury. According to the federation, Ezzalzouli has a mild left hamstring strain and Aguerd a medial knee ligament sprain. BBC Sport reports both players will stay with the squad but face at least three weeks out.

Head coach Walid Regragui said Bilal El Khannouss and Brahim Díaz would lead the attack against Brazil on Tuesday. Hellas Verona winger Ilias Akhomach and young defender Adam Aznou have been added to the standby list. The federation's notice was filed before FIFA's Monday 12:00 deadline for updating the 26-player squad roster.

Morocco became the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals at Qatar 2022 and is again seen as a contender. Despite the injuries, Achraf Hakimi's leadership keeps the squad strong. Aguerd's absence could prove decisive in central transitions against Brazil star Vinícius Júnior.

AfricaBBC Africa
Source: BBC Africa
ShareWhatsAppTelegramLinkedIn
This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by BBC Africa. The illustration is a stock photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels and is not from the original story.

Read next