Morocco have confirmed the withdrawals of Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli from their World Cup squad due to injury, barely 48 hours before they were due to face Brazil in their tournament opener.
The Atlas Lions were surprise semi-finalists in the previous edition of the World Cup but have been handed an early availability blow as they look to repeat the feat.
Ezzalzouli was forced off wth an injury during a 1-1 friendly draw with Norway on Monday night, as was Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi told journalists that he would ‘wait to see’ how severe either man’s injury was, and while Mazraoui’s shoulder injury seems minor, Ezzalzouli’s campaign has been cruelly cut short.
It is a huge blow for the Real Betis forward, who was expected to serve as a first choice this tournament after racking up 18 goal contributions in 29 La Liga appearances this season.
Marseille’s Aguerd, meanwhile, played no part against Norway due to an ongoing groin injury, which he brought into the camp with him, and he has not recovered from the ailment in time to play a part at the tournament.
Angers’ Amine Sbaï and Marwane Saadane of Saudi Pro League side Al Fateh have been called up as their replacements.
Morocco get their World Cup group stage campaign underway on Saturday, facing Brazil at MetLife Stadium before later facing Scotland and Haiti.
And they have fitness worries of their own, with the 34-year-old Neymar carrying a muscular injury. Defender Wesley was also sent home from camp early afer being injured in a warm-up friendly, with Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is due to sign with Manchester United later this summer, called up as his replacement.
