Morocco striker Soufiane Rahimi suffers injury ahead of AFCON qualifiers in November

Moroccan forward Soufiane Rahimi was forced off in tears after suffering an apparent hamstring injury during Al Ain’s UAE President’s Cup match against Shabab Al Ahli on Thursday.

The 30-year-old went down in the 27th minute of the round-of-16 encounter at Rashid Stadium in Dubai after appearing to experience discomfort in the back of his thigh.

Rahimi was unable to continue and requested to be substituted, leaving the pitch visibly distressed.

The Moroccan international covered his face with his shirt while sitting on the substitutes’ bench before breaking down in tears, raising concerns among Al Ain supporters about the potential severity of the injury.

The exact nature of the problem has not yet been officially confirmed, and it remains unclear how long the forward could be sidelined.

Al Ain face anxious wait ahead of crucial fixtures

Rahimi’s injury comes at a challenging time for Al Ain, who have important domestic and continental matches scheduled in the coming weeks.

The Emirati club are due to host Iranian side Tractor in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday before facing Ajman in domestic league action on Thursday.

Al Ain will then travel to Saudi Arabia to take on Al Ittihad on 2 November in another Asian Champions League fixture.

Rahimi’s potential absence would be a concern for the club given his importance to their attacking options, with his availability for the upcoming matches now uncertain.

Moroccan forward’s importance to Al Ain

Rahimi has established himself as one of Al Ain’s key players since joining the club from Moroccan side Raja Casablanca in 2021.

He played a central role in the Emirati club’s 2024 AFC Champions League triumph, finishing the competition as its leading scorer with 13 goals.

His contribution to that continental success has made him an important figure for Al Ain, increasing the concern surrounding his latest injury.

The club will now await the outcome of a medical assessment to establish the extent of the problem and determine whether the Moroccan forward will be available for their upcoming fixtures.