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Rabat – Hours before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to kick off today at 5 p.m. Moroccan time, Morocco’s national team coach Vahid Halilhodzic is expressing concerns over his squad’s multiple COVID-19 cases and other health issues.
In a press conference held earlier today in Yaounde, Cameroon, Halilhodzic stressed, “Like other teams participating in the CAN, the Moroccan team suffers from health problems. We have to deal with the situation, and keep focusing on tomorrow’s game.”
Attacking players Ryan Mmaee, Ayoub Al Kaabi, and Mounir El Haddadi did not participate in the Atlas Lions’ latest training sessions over health concerns, he said.
Morocco’s Bosnian coach noted that all the players worked hard and put in a lot of effort to overcome the injuries and other health-related problems.
The tournament, which kicks off today with an anticipated Cameroon vs Burkina Faso game, is set to last until February 6.
Morocco’s national team features in Group C alongside Ghana, Comoros, and Gabon.
The North African country will play their first match against Ghana tomorrow, January 10, at 5:00 p.m. local time.
The Referees Commission of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Botswana’s Joshua Bondo to officiate the Morocco-Ghana game.
The 43 years old referee started his career as a football player for Hartlepool FC in England. He became a referee in 2001 and was elected best referee of the U17 AFCON in Namibia in 2007.
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