Marouane Senadi misses AFCON due to knee surgery

Moroccan international Marouane Senadi, striker at Athletic Bilbao, has suffered a major setback after his hopes of joining the Moroccan national team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco were dashed.

The club announced that Senadi underwent successful surgery on his right knee’s meniscus, following chronic pain caused by an old injury that conservative treatments failed to solve.

The statement said the player would leave the hospital Tuesday and start rehab at the team’s facilities in Lezama, but did not specify how long he will be out. Spanish newspaper “AS” reported that Senadi could be sidelined for two whole months, which means his absence from the Africa Cup is almost certain.

Senadi tried all season to avoid surgery, and underwent careful therapy hoping to recover, but worsening pain made surgery inevitable. Only 24 years old, Senadi has 3 international caps for Morocco and a contract with Bilbao through the summer of 2029.

Messages from fans poured in, one read, “Wishing Senadi a quick recovery and a return to the pitch soon, insha’Allah.” With this unfortunate blow, Morocco will have to look to other young talents for the continental tournament.