Morocco’s World Cup preparations marred by injuries
The Morocco national team concluded their World Cup preparations with a 1-1 draw against Norway, a match that unfortunately brought new injury concerns for the squad. The team is set to compete in Group C of the tournament, alongside Scotland, Brazil, and Haiti. Their opening fixture is scheduled for Saturday night against Brazil in New York.
During the friendly match against Norway in New Jersey, two key players, left-back Nouassir Mazraoui and winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, were forced to leave the pitch due to injuries. These incidents have added to the team’s worries as they approach the start of the major international competition.
Mazraoui, a defender, was substituted just 17 minutes into the game, with Youssef Belammari taking his place. Reports indicate that the severity of his injury is not yet clear, though he experienced discomfort before being replaced. Later in the match, Ezzalzouli, who had been instrumental in the team’s early attacking play, was taken off at half-time due to a slight muscle strain, with Soufiane Rahimi coming on.
The match saw Morocco open the scoring in the seventh minute through a low finish from Brahim Diaz, following good work from Ezzalzouli. The Moroccan side appeared to be the stronger team in the first half. However, after several substitutions, Norway managed to regroup in the second period, with Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard scoring to level the match. Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard also made an appearance for Norway, earning his eighth cap.
Concerns over key players
Beyond the recent injuries to Mazraoui and Ezzalzouli, Morocco‘s head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, is also awaiting updates on the fitness of first-choice centre-half Nayef Aguerd. Aguerd was absent from the friendly against Norway, having not played since early March due to a groin problem. His availability for the upcoming World Cup remains uncertain.
Coach Ouahbi addressed Aguerd‘s situation last week, stating that the player is following a specific protocol. He mentioned that there is still time to make a decision regarding Aguerd‘s participation and that the team is not taking any risks with his recovery. Ouahbi also noted the presence of Marwane Saadane as an alternative, suggesting confidence in the team’s defensive options regardless of Aguerd‘s status.
The injury to Ezzalzouli, a Real Betis forward, occurred after a physical sequence during the match. His visible discomfort led to immediate concern from the Moroccan bench, necessitating an early tactical change. Medical evaluations are expected to determine the exact nature of his injury, specifically whether it is a muscle strain or a more severe tear.
Mazraoui, a defender, was in action for Morocco as part of their preparations for the World Cup. He was forced off the pitch at the Sports Illustrated Stadium during the friendly. Prior to the tournament, Mazraoui had spoken about the upcoming matches with his club teammates, including discussions about facing players like Matheus Cunha from Brazil.
Team expectations and tournament outlook
Morocco‘s campaign in Group C will begin against Brazil at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday night. The team’s expectations for this tournament are reportedly higher than they were four years ago, following their strong performance in a previous World Cup where they reached the semi-finals. This past success has led to increased pressure and ambition within the squad.
The team aims to demonstrate that their previous achievements were not merely due to luck but reflect a consistent level of performance. This ambition places a significant responsibility on the players to manage the heightened expectations and perform well on the international stage. The medical staff’s evaluations of the injured players will be crucial in determining the squad’s full strength for the opening match.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) is expected to release official medical bulletins regarding the injured players, providing clarity on their potential return to action. The team faces Brazil on Saturday night in New York.
Source: scotsman.com
As NewsGB's Senior Football Correspondent, Jack Ferndale reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He covered north-east football for a regional daily. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Jack lives in Sunderland, where he watches lower-league football home and away. “The story is in the squad, not just the starting eleven.”