Walid Regragui, the head coach of the Moroccan national football team, has called up Mehdi Meftah, the backup goalkeeper from Renaissance Berkane, to join the squad.
The decision was announced on Sunday morning, following the injury to star goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Meftah’s inclusion comes as a response to the need for additional goalkeeping support after Bounou was forced to leave the field during the national team’s recent match against the Central African Republic.
The game, which ended in a dominant victory for Morocco, saw Bounou sustain an injury in the first half, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming fixtures.
With Bounou now confirmed to be sidelined for the upcoming return match against the Central African Republic on Tuesday in Oujda, Munir Mohamedi is expected to take over as the starting goalkeeper.
Salahddine Chahib will serve as the backup, while Meftah steps in as the third-choice option, ensuring the team has sufficient coverage in the goalkeeping department.
The decision to call up Meftah highlights the depth of talent in Moroccan football, as Regragui looks to maintain the team’s strong defensive form amid a challenging qualification campaign.
The match on Tuesday will be crucial for Morocco as they aim to solidify their position in the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Morocco.
As fans await the team’s performance, the focus will be on how the squad adapts to the absence of Bounou, whose skills have been instrumental in Morocco’s recent successes.
However, with experienced options like Mohamedi and promising talents such as Meftah stepping up, the national team remains confident heading into their next challenge.
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