Marrakech – Ayman El Wafi, a key member of Morocco’s U23 football team, will not be participating in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The 20-year-old defender, who currently plays for Swiss club FC Lugano, has been denied permission by his team to join the Moroccan squad for the prestigious tournament.
El Wafi, who was initially named in coach Tarik Sektioui’s 18-man roster for the Olympics, announced his unfortunate withdrawal via an Instagram story on Tuesday. He expressed his disappointment, but also wished his teammates success.
The Camaiore, Italy native was set to join the national team in Rabat later this week, but his club’s last-minute decision has left him unable to represent his country on the global stage.
FC Lugano, the reigning Swiss league runners-up, have qualified for the UEFA Champions League and are reportedly keen on retaining the services of their talented young defender.
El Wafi is not the only player facing such a predicament, as several other Moroccan footballers, including Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and PSV Eindhoven’s Ismael Saibari, have also been denied permission by their respective clubs to participate in the Olympics.
In light of El Wafi’s absence, Coach Sektioui has called up Adil Tahif, a player from Moroccan club Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB), to replace him in the final squad for the Paris Olympics.
The tournament, which is set to kick off on July 24, will see the Atlas Lions face Argentina in their opening match at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne, followed by encounters against Ukraine on July 27 at the same venue, and Iraq on July 30 at the Allianz Riviera in Nice.
The Moroccan U23 team’s Olympic campaign has been dealt a significant blow by El Wafi’s withdrawal, as the young defender was expected to play a crucial role in the team’s quest for success.
Fans and supporters have expressed their shock and disappointment at the news, with many questioning the communication between the Moroccan Football Federation and the clubs involved.
As the team prepares for the challenges ahead, Coach Sektioui will be hoping that the inclusion of Adil Tahif, along with the experience of senior players such as Achraf Hakimi, Munir El Kajoui, and Soufiane Rahimi, will help the Atlas Lions navigate their way through a tough Group B and make a mark on the Olympic stage.
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