Morocco has concluded their World Cup preparations with a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw against Norway, leaving them with additional injury woes as they head into the tournament. Positioned in Group C alongside Scotland, Brazil, and Haiti, Morocco is set to kick off their World Cup journey on Saturday night against the formidable Brazilian squad in New York.
The match against Norway not only showcased Morocco's potential but also highlighted their vulnerabilities, particularly concerning player fitness. Left-back Nouassir Mazraoui and winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli both sustained injuries during the match. Mazraoui, who plays for Manchester United, was forced to leave the pitch after just 17 minutes, resulting in Youssef Belammari stepping in as his replacement. Ezzalzouli, who had contributed to Morocco's early goal, was substituted at halftime due to a minor muscle strain, with Soufiane Rahimi taking his place.
Morocco's scoring opened early in the match when Brahim Diaz found the net just seven minutes in, following impressive play from Ezzalzouli. The Moroccan side appeared dominant in the first half; however, a series of substitutions by Norway shifted the momentum in the second half. The Norwegian team equalized through a strike from Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard, showcasing their resilience. They also brought in Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard, marking his eighth appearance for the national team.
In addition to the injuries sustained during the match against Norway, Morocco's head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, is anxiously monitoring the fitness of Nayef Aguerd, the team's first-choice center-back, who was absent from the match. Aguerd has been sidelined since early March due to a persistent groin issue, and Ouahbi remains uncertain about his availability for the World Cup. "Regarding Nayef Aguerd, he's following the protocol that we've put in place," Ouahbi stated last week. "We still have time to make a decision, and we'll continue to follow the protocol, but we also have [Marwane] Saadane, who's here. Whatever happens, we're good on this point of view. We're taking no risks, and we will not take any risks."
Moreover, Brazil is also grappling with injury concerns after first-choice right-back Wesley Franca was ruled out of the tournament over the weekend. As both teams prepare for their upcoming clash, the importance of maintaining player fitness cannot be overstated.
As reported by scotsman.com.
