Azzedine Ounahi has been ruled out of Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign after the midfielder arrived at the stadium on crutches with his left foot heavily braced, dealing a major setback to the host nation just hours before their last-16 meeting with Tanzania.
The 25-year-old was not expected to feature in Sunday’s match, but the scale of the problem quickly became clear when images of him struggling to move through the stadium circulated among supporters.
The injury was picked up in training the previous day, and early assessments indicate a broken foot, effectively ending his involvement in the tournament.
Morocco had approached “its” 2025 Africa Cup of Nations carrying both expectation and pressure.
Playing at home, Walid Regragui’s side navigated the group phase with control, building momentum and confidence ahead of the knockout rounds.
The clash with Tanzania at 4:00pm GMT had been framed as a routine step towards the latter stages, yet Ounahi’s misfortune has altered the mood around the camp in a matter of hours.
For Moroccan supporters, the sight of one of their most influential players on crutches was a moment of disbelief.
Ounahi has been a central figure in the team’s rhythm, linking defence and attack and providing the creativity that has underpinned their strong start.
Losing him at this stage is not merely a tactical problem; it is an emotional blow to a squad seeking to capitalise on home advantage.
The midfielder’s absence forces Regragui into a swift rethink of his plans.
With no time to prepare a like-for-like replacement, Morocco must now find a way to preserve balance and fluency without the man who has so often dictated their tempo.
The injury comes at a particularly delicate moment, when continuity and understanding within the starting line-up can make the difference between survival and elimination.
Although the immediate focus is on Tanzania, the wider implications are clear.
Morocco had entered the competition with legitimate ambitions of lifting the trophy on home soil, and their progress so far had reinforced that belief.
🇲🇦🚨 Azzedine Ounahi arrive en béquille et grosse attelle.
Visiblement forfait pour toute la compétition. pic.twitter.com/u0gRm3HQT9
— Hanif Ben Berkane (@HanifBerkane) January 4, 2026
The sudden loss of Ounahi now raises questions about the squad’s depth and adaptability, qualities that will be tested not only in the round of 16 but, should they progress, in the high-stakes matches that follow.
Within the camp, the mood has inevitably darkened.
Training plans were disrupted and medical staff remain closely involved, but the early prognosis leaves little room for optimism.
The expectation is that Ounahi will not feature again in this Africa Cup of Nations, a conclusion that strips Morocco of one of its most recognisable performers.
For the player himself, the timing could hardly be more cruel.
To be forced out of a home tournament just as it moves into its decisive phase is a personal ordeal, and his presence on crutches served as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn in elite competition.
As kick-off against Tanzania approaches, Morocco must now attempt to compartmentalise the disappointment and refocus on the task at hand.
Their status as hosts and group-stage performers still makes them formidable, but the absence of Azzedine Ounahi ensures that this knockout tie will be approached under a cloud of uncertainty that few had anticipated.
