A heightened sense of anticipation surrounds the results of medical tests conducted on Abdel Samad Azlal Zouli, the winger for Real Betis and the Moroccan national team, following a severe injury to his right knee. This injury occurred during an international friendly against Norway, which ended in a 1-1 draw, held on Sunday in New Jersey. Azlal Zouli, who played a pivotal role in setting up the first goal scored by Real Madrid's Ibrahim Diaz, sustained the injury during stoppage time of the first half. He had to leave the field with assistance from the Moroccan team doctor and his assistant, making way for UAE's Al Ain winger, Sofiane Rahimi, at the beginning of the second half.
All Eyes on Azlal Zouli
A Moroccan source informed the French news agency that "everyone is waiting for the results of the tests conducted on Azlal Zouli to determine the severity of his injury and whether he can recover in time before the World Cup or shortly after it." The uncertainty surrounding his condition has raised concerns among fans and teammates alike, as the Moroccan Football Federation has yet to issue an official statement regarding the injury and its potential impact on his participation in the tournament. According to reports, it may take up to 48 hours to ascertain the specifics of the injury before any decisions can be made.
While some speculate that his absence could span three to four weeks, or even rule him out of the finals completely, these remain mere conjectures. The results of the medical tests are expected to play a crucial role in determining his availability for the competition.
Additional Setbacks for Morocco
Azlal Zouli's injury marks the second blow for the Moroccan team during the friendly match against Norway. Earlier in the game, Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui suffered a shoulder injury in the 30th minute, leading to his substitution for Egyptian club Al Ahly's defender, Youssef Belalmi. Following the match, Morocco's coach, Mohammed Wahbi, expressed his primary concern regarding the injuries to both Azlal Zouli and Mazraoui, wishing for their conditions to be less severe.
He added that the medical staff is closely monitoring the situations of both players, awaiting clarity on their readiness to face Brazil in the upcoming fixtures. Mazraoui's injury poses a significant challenge for the Atlas Lions' coach, especially since his likely replacement, PSV Eindhoven's left-back Anas Salah Eddine, has been sidelined due to injury. If Mazraoui and Salah Eddine remain unavailable, Belalmi stands as the only left-back option to confront Brazil.
Meanwhile, Marseille's central defender, Nayef Aguerd, continues to recover from surgery aimed at alleviating persistent groin pain that has prevented him from participating in the latter stages of the French league. The Moroccan national team's depth and preparedness will be tested as they navigate this injury crisis ahead of the World Cup.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
