Morocco’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup have been overshadowed by fresh injury concerns after forward Abde Ezzalzouli and defender Noussair Mazraoui were both forced off during the Atlas Lions’ 1-1 draw against Norway in a pre-tournament friendly.
Morocco’s medical staff will spend the next two days assessing Ezzalzouli’s condition before determining whether the Real Betis winger will be available for the World Cup, which gets underway for the Atlas Lions later this week.
The uncertainty surrounding Ezzalzouli comes at a delicate moment for head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, whose side is just days away from opening its campaign against Brazil in New York.
While the extent of the winger’s injury remains unclear, sources close to the Moroccan camp indicated that further medical examinations are required before a final decision can be made regarding his participation in the tournament.
There was more encouraging news, however, regarding Mazraoui. The Manchester United defender, who left the pitch before the half-hour mark after sustaining a shoulder injury, is expected to return to training in the coming days.
The injuries cast a shadow over an otherwise positive evening for Morocco. The Atlas Lions produced a competitive display against Norway and appeared on course for victory after Brahim Diaz opened the scoring early in the match. However, Martin Odegaard equalized in the second half to secure a draw for the Scandinavian side.
Speaking after the game, Ouahbi admitted that the condition of his injured players was his main concern.
The Moroccan coach said the technical staff would await the results of medical tests before evaluating the situation, expressing hope that both players would recover in time for the World Cup.
The latest setback adds to a growing list of fitness concerns within the Moroccan camp. Central defender Nayef Aguerd has yet to return to action after a lengthy absence caused by a groin problem, while other squad members have also been dealing with injury issues in recent weeks.
Morocco begin their World Cup journey against Brazil before taking on Scotland and Haiti in the remaining Group C fixtures. With the opening match fast approaching, the coming days could prove decisive for several players hoping to secure their place in the Atlas Lions' plans for the tournament.
