Rabat – Toulouse FC’s Zakaria Aboukhlal has been called up by Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, to replace Ilias Akhomach, who’s out for the season with a horrific injury.
Akhomach is set to miss the remainder of the season. “The striker has suffered a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a sprain of the internal lateral ligament in his right knee. The club will soon release information about the surgery the player will undergo,” Villareal said in a statement.
Aboukhlal is aiming to step in for Morocco’s upcoming matches against Gabon and Lesotho, bringing his recent impressive form from Ligue 1 to the national team.
The 24-year-old winger has been making a name for himself in France. Born in Rotterdam, he’s known for his speed, technical skill, and sharp eye for goal.
Since joining Toulouse in 2022 from AZ Alkmaar, Aboukhlal has become a fan favorite, helping his team win the Coupe de France last season with a crucial goal in the final.
Though eligible to represent the Netherlands, Libya, or Morocco, Aboukhlal chose Morocco and made his international debut in 2020. His popularity soared during the 2022 World Cup when he scored the second goal for Morocco against Belgium in the last moments of the game.
This season, Aboukhlal’s performances for Toulouse have been impressive.
He has played 10 games with a total of 743 minutes under his belt, bagged four goals and provided an assist.
With Akhomach out, Aboukhlal’s addition is a big boost for Morocco’s upcoming games on the right flank. Moroccan fans are eager to see if he can bring the same skill and creativity to the national team.
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