This summer, Morocco is set to be a prominent contender in the World Cup taking place in the Americas. The Lions of the Atlas, who made an impressive run to the semifinals in the previous edition of the tournament, come into this competition with a robust track record and solid arguments for another successful campaign. In a competitive Group C, featuring powerhouses like Brazil and Scotland, along with the underdog Haiti, the Moroccan team is regarded as a serious outsider.
In their final friendly match on Sunday, Morocco faced Norway, concluding with a 1-1 draw. The match saw Brahim Diaz scoring early on, followed by an equalizer from Odegaard about fifteen minutes before the end. Overall, Morocco showcased a promising performance, although there are concerns to address.
Concerns for the Moroccan Squad
Indeed, during the first half of the match, two key players from Morocco had to leave the field due to injuries. Full-back Noussair Mazraoui was the first to go, followed by winger Abde Ezzalzouli. "Two players went out due to injury. We are waiting to see what it is," explained Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi after the match. Early reports circulating on social media, particularly from journalist Anass Izem, suggest that Mazraoui may be suffering from a shoulder subluxation. If it is a partial injury, he could potentially be available for the match against Brazil; however, if it turns out to be a complete dislocation, he may face a ten-day recovery period.
As for Ezzalzouli, initial indications point to a knee injury, and further examinations are expected to take place in the coming hours. “We don’t know yet what the situation is. He was taken to the hospital for tests, and we hope it’s nothing serious. We wish him a speedy recovery, InchAllah,” shared Azzedine Ounahi late at night. It’s important to note that these two injuries add to the concerns surrounding defender Nayef Aguerd and forward Chemssdine Talbi, both of whom are also doubtful for their opening match against Brazil on the night from Saturday to Sunday.
As reported by footmercato.net.
