Rabat – Panathinaikos will travel to Kazakhstan without Moroccan international Azzedine Ounahi after medical examinations confirmed a serious muscle tear in his right thigh, which will keep the player out of action until the beginning of 2027, according to Greek outlet ERT Sports.
Ounahi suffered the injury during Panathinaikos’ 5-1 victory over Asteras Tripolis on Sunday. He left the pitch on a stretcher after just 20 minutes, raising immediate concerns about the severity of the problem.
Medical examinations later confirmed a severe tear in the biceps femoris, one of the muscles in the hamstring at the back of his right thigh.
Panathinaikos coach Jacob Neestrup has named a 24-man squad for Thursday’s match against Kairat Almaty, with Ounahi among the notable absentees, marking a setback to the Greek club which prepares for the second round of the UEFA Conference League league phase.
Panathinaikos will face Kairat in Almaty, Kazakhstan on October 22, looking to build on their 2-1 victory over Borac Banja Luka in their Conference League opener on October 15.
Morocco also concerned about Ounahi’s absence
Ounahi’s expected absence until early 2027 will also affect Morocco’s preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
The Atlas Lions are scheduled to face Niger on November 13 and 17, with both matches part of the qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The 26-year-old midfielder has been an option for Mohamed Ouahbi in the midfield, and his recovery will be closely watched ahead of the November international window.
Ounahi’s injury comes at a difficult moment for both club and national team, with Panathinaikos losing a midfield option for several months and Morocco potentially having to prepare for the upcoming qualifiers without him.
