Rabat FAR defender Younes Belakhder will miss the upcoming African Cup of Nations in South Africa due to injury. Deemed not fully fit by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) even after his recovery, Belakhder has been replaced by Abdelatif Nousseir, a defender from Moghreb Fez.
This substitution, made position for position, was a joint decision involving the selection doctors. A press release from the FRMF stated that Belakhder’s physical condition is not deemed suitable for a major competition like the CAN.
Morocco, placed in Group A, will face the host country South Africa, as well as Angola and Cape Verde in the first round of the tournament. Prior to the competition, the Atlas Lions will engage in two friendly matches on January 8 and 12 against Zambia and Namibia, respectively. Both matches are scheduled to take place in Johannesburg.
