Morocco have suffered two injury blows ahead of their 2023 AFCON Round of 16 clash against Bafana Bafana on Tuesday night.
Bafana will face the Atlas Lions at Stade Laurent Pokou Stadium, with the kick-off scheduled for 22:00 [SA time]
Speaking during the press conference at Stade Laurent Pokou ahead of the CAF AFCON last 16 contest against Hugo Broos’ side, Morocco mentor Walid Regragui confirmed that Al-Rayyan winger Sofiane Boufal will not be part of the squad for Tuesday’s game.
Sadly, Boufal’s injury setback may rule him out of the AFCON if Morocco progresses to the next round, as the side is awaiting confirmation from the club’s medical doctor.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray midfielder Hakim Ziyech is a doubt for the Bafana tie due to an ankle injury.
Therefore, a decision will be taken in the last minutes if Ziyech will be fit to take part in Morocco’s Tuesday game against South Africa.
WALID REGRAGUI ON MOROCCO’S INJURIES SETBACK
“We are going to confirm if Sofiane’s AFCON is over. He won’t be able to play due to injury unless a miracle comes,” Regragui told the media.
“Hakim the same. He sustained an ankle injury from the Zambia game.
“If there is a chance he can play, we will take it to play against South Africa. The decision will be made at the last second.
But, the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists remain the favourites to walk away victorious despite their injury setbacks.
OTHER TEAMS THAT HAVE QUALIFIED FOR QUARTER-FINALS
With South Africa and Morocco gunning for a spot in this tournament, four nations have already booked their spots in the quarter-finals.
The four are; Nigeria, Angola, Guinea, and DR Congo. Therefore, there are only four spots left to be secured.
RELATED STORY: Morocco handed major boost as Regragui cleared for Bafana AFCON showdown
