Morocco suffered the loss of two starters due to injuries, with defender Nayef Aguerd and striker Abde Ezzalzouli being cut from the squad that will compete in the World Cup for the national team.
Defender Marwane Saadane, who plays in Saudi Arabia, and striker Amine Sbai were called up as substitutes, as confirmed by the Moroccan federation and FIFA.
Aguerd, 30, has not played since the beginning of March due to a groin injury that required surgery. His recovery stalled in April when it was discovered he had a fractured pubic bone.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahabi remained hopeful that Aguerd would recover in time, but decided this Thursday (11) that he would not be ready for this month’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Ezzalzouli, 24, was injured in a play in the weekend’s friendly against Norway in Harrison, New Jersey.
As Morocco saved a corner, teammate Chadi Riad fell awkwardly onto the right knee of Ezzalzouli, who tried to continue playing but soon had to be substituted.
Both Aguerd and Ezzalzouli were part of the Moroccan team that reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup in Qatar and also the final of the African Cup of Nations, held in Morocco in January.
Aguerd, however, was also injured in the last World Cup, in the round of 16 against Spain, and missed the team’s next three games in the tournament.
Saadane, 34, debuted for the Moroccan national team in 2015 but has been little used since then, while Sbai, 25, who plays mainly on the left wing, made his international debut earlier this month in a World Cup warm-up friendly against Burundi.
Both Saadane and Sbai were brought to the US as reserves and have been training with the team. Saadane came on the field in the 1-1 draw with Norway on Sunday, while Sbai was among the substitutes.
Morocco debuts in the World Cup in Group C against Brazil on Saturday (13).
