Morocco’s national team boss Walid Regragui could opt for OGC Nice midfielder Sofiane Diop to replace the recently sidelined Osame Sahraoui for next matches against Niger and Tanzania in the World Cup qualifiers.
Diop was handed his first-ever Morocco call-up in November 2023 when Morocco faced Liberia in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and Tanzania in Dar Es Salaam for the World Cup qualifiers.
Diop, 23, has played for France’s youth teams, but with a Moroccan mother and Senegalese father, the playmaker was always a target for the Moroccan football federation.
Osame Sahrawi was forced off with an injury as Lille lost 1-0 to Nantes in Ligue 1 last Saturday. The 22-year-old left the pitch in the 61st minute, sparking fears just days after being called up for Morocco’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Lille boss Bruno Genesio admitted the situation is a bit worrying. “He felt pain in the groin again,” he said.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui is now awaiting test results to see how long the injury would keep Sahraoui in the treatment room.
Sahrawi was named in Morocco’s attacking lineup alongside Chemsedine Talbi, Hamza Igamane, Soufiane Rahimi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Abde Ezzalzouli, Brahim Diaz, Amine Adli, and Eliesse Ben Sghir.
Morocco, who sit at the top of their World Cup qualifying group with nine points from three games, will face Niger on March 21 and Tanzania on March 25 in Oujda.
