Rabat – In a press conference held on Monday, Walid Regragui delivered the unfortunate news regarding Sofiane Boufal’s injury, stating unequivocally, “Boufal is out.
His AFCON journey has come to an end. It’s a muscular injury. Unless a miracle happens, he won’t be “available anymore” during the tournament.
This announcement comes after Boufal was forced to leave the field during a training session following the team’s victory against Zambia (1-0).
Despite the disappointment surrounding Boufal’s absence, there is a glimmer of hope for the Moroccan squad as they await the fate of Hakim Ziyech, the dynamic right-winger who exited the pitch at halftime during the match against Zambia.
“He suffered an injury to the ankle against Zambia,” Regragui acknowledged, “and we will do everything in our power to have him present in the match. If we are forced to take the risk, we will take it. We want our best player to be present.”
The coach emphasized the importance of Ziyech’s presence, highlighting the respect owed to their opponents: “It would be disrespectful to the South African team if we considered that we could qualify for the quarter-finals without Hakim Ziyech. Therefore, we will work hard to have him present, and the decision about his participation will be made just before the match, minutes or even seconds before.”
The Atlas Lions are set to face Bafana Bafana on Tuesday, January 30th, at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro for the AFCON 2023 Round of 16 clash, kicking off at 9 p.m. Moroccan time.
The potential absence of Ziyech raises questions about the team’s offensive capabilities, but Regragui remains optimistic, stressing the importance of fielding the best possible lineup against South Africa.
Should the Lions de l’Atlas secure a spot in the quarter-finals, they will face the winner of the match between Mauritania and Cape Verde, scheduled for Monday, January 29th, at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan at 6 p.m. Moroccan time.
