Morocco’s national team coach, Walid Regragui, confirmed on Sunday evening that midfielder Azzeddine Ounahi will be unavailable for the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON 2025).
The tournament, which is being hosted in Morocco, will continue until January 18, but the Atlas Lions will have to proceed without one of their key figures.
Regragui shared the news during a post-match press conference following Morocco’s 1–0 victory over Tanzania, explaining that Ounahi suffered a torn calf muscle during a training session on Saturday. The injury is a recurrence of an old issue the midfielder sustained while playing for his Spanish club, Girona, and the recovery period is estimated to be between five and six weeks. The coach described the loss as a significant blow to the team, noting that the players were deeply affected by the news and felt a strong motivation to secure their qualification for the quarterfinals in Ounahi’s honor.
The Atlas Lions managed to defeat Tanzania with a narrow 1–0 scoreline at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, thanks to a 64th-minute goal from Brahim Diaz. While Regragui expressed satisfaction with the result, he admitted that the first half was marred by technical errors that allowed the opposition to gain confidence. He noted that the performance in the second half was much closer to the team’s usual standards, though he acknowledged that their high-pressing style at home naturally leaves space at the back that opponents can exploit.
Morocco’s next challenge will be a quarterfinal clash against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions, who advanced after a 2–1 victory over South Africa. Meanwhile, the rest of the tournament schedule remains busy, with Egypt facing Benin and Nigeria taking on Mozambique on Monday, January 5. The Round of 16 will conclude on Tuesday with Algeria playing DR Congo and Ivory Coast facing Burkina Faso. The quarterfinals are set to take place on January 9 and 10, leading up to the grand final in Rabat on January 18.
AK/Sf/fss/abj/APA