Hakim Ziyech, the Moroccan national team player, has thrown a wrench into the calculations of coach Walid Rachraki just before the Round of 16 encounter against South Africa in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco is set to face South Africa next Tuesday in the Round of 16 matches of the African Cup of Nations.
Ziyech sustained an injury to his left ankle ligaments during the Morocco-Zambia match in the third and final round of the group stage.
Ziyech is now at risk of missing the crucial South Africa encounter due to the injury, requiring precise treatment to determine his participation in the game.
This unforeseen circumstance complicates matters for Rachraki, the Moroccan national team’s head coach, ahead of the challenging clash against Bafana Bafana.
According to Moroccan sports channel “Al Riyadiya,” Ziyech’s likelihood of participating in the Morocco-South Africa match is currently deemed highly improbable.
The player will undergo further medical examinations in the coming hours to ascertain his condition.
Several Moroccan sources have affirmed that the probability of Ziyech’s absence from the Morocco-South Africa match in the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Round of 16 exceeds 50 to 60%.
Ziyech was instrumental in securing Morocco’s victory against Zambia, propelling the Atlas Lions to the top of Group Six’s standings.
The Africa Cup of Nations 2023 is taking place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024, featuring the participation of 24 national teams.
