Morocco international Hamza Igamane is expected to be sidelined for six month after succumbing to an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.
Igamane, who plies his trade for Lille suffered an injury setback after being subbed on in latter part of the highly competitive clash on Sunday.
The North Africa football heavyweights succumbed to a narrowly defeat to Senegal in a chaotic final, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday night.
The blockbuster final traveled to extra-time after Brahim Diaz missed a crucial penalty in regular time. Senegal prevailed, with Pape Gueye netting the match-winner to propel the Taranga Lions to victory.
Speaking after the match, Morocco coach Walid Regragui confirmed Igamane suffered an Anterior Crucial Ligament injury and could be out for six months.
“I think that Igamane suffered a cruciate ligament injury, and this is not related to his previous injury. He may be out for 6 months.” He said as quoted by Al-Botola:
“I brought on Igamane when he was ready, and as I told you, I think he has a cruciate ligament injury as a result of a collision. That’s something you can’t predict.”
“It’s not a muscle injury, and it has nothing to do with finishing the match with 10 players. It’s fate and things that happen in football.”
“We hope it’s not a cruciate ligament injury specifically, and that he can return to playing quickly.”
Senegal won the title for the second time in its history after 2021 at the expense of Egypt, and ended its drought in final matches with a wonderful goal from Pape Gueye, which is the 100th goal in the history of the Taranga Lions in the African Cup of Nations.
For the first time, the Senegalese national team has triumphed over the host nation after five previous attempts without a victory against the home team.
The Taranga Lions now hold the second-longest unbeaten run in the Africa Cup of Nations with 18 matches, after Egypt, who hold the record with 24 matches.
The Moroccan national team has been absent from the podium in the Africa Cup of Nations for 50 years, since winning the title in 1976.
