Officially… Morocco’s star player will miss the remainder of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco’s national team coach, Walid Regragui, confirmed that Azzedine Ounahi’s participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is over after he sustained an injury during the Atlas Lions’ final training session before Sunday’s match against Tanzania.
The Girona star missed the Tanzania match, which Morocco narrowly won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Brahim Diaz. He appeared on the bench on crutches, indicating that his injury is far from minor.
Regragui told reporters, “Ounahi suffered a calf muscle tear during Saturday’s training session. He will not be able to play with us again in the Africa Cup of Nations.”
He added, “He needs five or six weeks to recover and return to matches. He had suffered from this injury while playing for Girona and recovered, but unfortunately, it has recurred.”
Ounahi delivered outstanding performances in the group stage, making his absence from Morocco’s midfield a significant blow. It is expected that either Nael El Aynaoui or Bilal El Khannous will replace him in the knockout rounds.
Morocco will face Cameroon in a highly anticipated quarter-final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for next Friday.
