Moroccan midfielder Younès Belhanda will be back in action for the Atlas Lions after missing their opening 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match against Namibia due to an ankle injury. Following yesterday’s training session, team doctor Dr. Abderrazak Hifti confirmed that Belhanda is now fully fit and available for Morocco’s second Group D match against Ivory Coast.
Belhanda’s absence against Namibia was noticeable in Morocco’s midfield as Hervé Renard’s side narrowly secured a 1-0 victory. The Galatasaray midfielder’s return adds creativity and experience to the team as they prepare for a challenging encounter with the Elephants. “He is now ready to play,” Dr. Hifti stated, providing reassurance to both the coach and supporters.
Dr. Hifti also offered a general update on the squad’s condition after their first match. “All the players are doing well and there are no injuries to report. Everything is fine. The players are training in groups, except for three or four who are doing it differently, but that doesn’t mean they are injured,” he explained, confirming the overall fitness and readiness of the squad ahead of their next test.
Morocco will face Ivory Coast at 5 PM GMT in Cairo for their second Group D match. The two sides have met before in AFCON history, notably in the 2017 edition when the Atlas Lions triumphed over the Elephants thanks to Rachid Alioui’s 64th-minute goal. With Belhanda back in the lineup, Morocco looks to assert control in the midfield and replicate that previous success, aiming to strengthen their position in the group and build momentum for the knockout stages.
Hervé Renard’s team will rely on Belhanda’s vision and passing to unlock Ivory Coast’s defense, while maintaining the solid structure that allowed them to edge past Namibia. His return marks a key boost for the Atlas Lions as they aim to secure maximum points in Group D and continue their AFCON campaign with confidence.
