Osame Sahraoui’s hopes of continuing his international journey with Morocco have been dealt a fresh blow, with the Lille winger facing the prospect of missing the Atlas Lions’ upcoming fixtures due to injury. This marks the second consecutive time he could be absent from Walid Regragui’s squad.
Injury Strikes at a Crucial Moment
Sahraoui was forced off the pitch during Lille’s Ligue 1 encounter against Nantes on Saturday, suffering a groin injury that now jeopardizes his chances of linking up with the Moroccan national team.
The timing is particularly frustrating for the 23-year-old, who had been eager to solidify his place within the squad after making his debut last October.
Having already withdrawn from Morocco’s November camp due to fitness concerns, this latest setback only adds to the challenges he has faced since switching allegiance from Norway to Morocco.
The extent of the injury is yet to be determined, but early indications suggest he may not recover in time for the upcoming international break.
Medical Concerns Could Delay His Return
With Lille’s medical team assessing the severity of his injury, there is a possibility that the club may opt for caution to prevent further complications.
Given his limited game time since his international debut, both club and country will be keen to manage his recovery carefully, especially with a packed schedule ahead.
Sahraoui had been hoping to build on his October appearance, when he featured in Morocco’s 4-0 win over the Central African Republic.
However, his progress was halted a month later when he withdrew from the squad ahead of AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho, citing fatigue.
A Delayed Integration into the Atlas Lions
Born in Norway, Sahraoui officially changed his sporting nationality to Morocco in September 2024, after receiving approval from FIFA.
His decision to represent the North African nation was influenced by discussions with head coach Regragui and the Moroccan Football Federation.
His debut last October was expected to mark the start of a promising chapter with the Atlas Lions, but his integration has since been disrupted by recurring fitness issues.
Now, with another potential absence on the horizon, his path to cementing a spot in Morocco’s squad remains uncertain.
Osame Sahraoui viens de sortir sur blessure face à Nantes. Il a l’air d’être touché aux adducteurs, sa présence au prochain rassemblement est clairement compromise. @EnMaroc @losclive #mountakhab🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/c6nIB0nCyH
— SOCCER212 (@SCCR_212) March 15, 2025
