Morocco is heading towards the Round of 16 in the 2023 AFCON. The “Atlas Lions” are facing South Africa, and Hakim Ziyech’s participation is uncertain for now.
As part of his involvement in the Round of 16 next Tuesday against South Africa, Hakim Ziyech faces an unexpected obstacle. Suffering from an ankle sprain during the match against Zambia, his presence on the field for the upcoming clash against South Africa is uncertain.
Hakim Ziyech, the Injury Concern in Morocco
This injury has raised concerns about his continued participation in the tournament, putting on hold the crucial role he plays within the national team. Last Wednesday, in the encounter against Zambia, Hakim Ziyech added a new chapter to his story with the Atlas Lions.
Involved in Morocco’s first four goals in the tournament, Ziyech eventually found the back of the net himself. However, the jubilation was tempered by an ankle injury towards the end of the first half, forcing him to leave the field prematurely. This injury quickly raised concerns about his future participation in the tournament.
The Galatasaray player was unable to participate in Thursday’s training session, and his absence persisted the following Friday. The Moroccan national team staff chose to rest Ziyech, deeming it preferable to keep him sidelined to avoid exacerbating his injury. Although reports from San Pedro suggest the injury is not severe, caution is warranted, and his presence on the field for the next match against South Africa is uncertain.
Ziyech’s contribution to the Moroccan national team is undeniable. With his 22nd goal in 59 appearances against Zambia, he demonstrated his ability to be a decisive asset for his team. Furthermore, his assist in the match against the Democratic Republic of Congo underscores his influence on the Atlas Lions’ game. These statistics highlight the importance of his presence on the field for Morocco.
Morocco and South Africa, Here We Go Again
Before this highly anticipated match, the two teams have met eight times. The Atlas Lions have emerged victorious twice. The first time was during the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, with a score of 1-0. The lone goal of the match was scored by Mbarek Boussoufa. The second victory dates back to September 9, 2022, in Rabat, during the qualifiers for the same AFCON, with a score of 2-1 in favor of Morocco. Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaâbi scored the two goals. These two players will need to draw from this experience to lead Morocco to qualification in the quarter-finals.
South Africa hasn’t been the most favorable team for Morocco. The first encounter between the two teams, in 1998, in the quarter-finals of the AFCON in Mali, saw the Bafana Bafana win 2-1. The South Africans also won their second encounter during the group stage of the 2002 AFCON in Mali (3-1).
Their third victory dates back to June 2023 in Johannesburg (2-1), during the qualifications for the same Africa Cup. This is the only defeat for the Atlas Lions since their semi-final loss to France during the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. The other meetings between the two nations ended in draws. The first was in the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia (1-1), followed by the 2013 AFCON in South Africa (2-2), and finally, during a friendly match in Agadir in October 2013.
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