Morocco star ruled out of AFCON 2025 due to injury

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has confirmed that midfielder Azzedine Ounahi will miss the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON), dealing a major blow to the Atlas Lions.

Morocco secured qualification to the quarter-finals on Sunday after edging Tanzania 1-0 in a match held at Moulay Abdullah Stadium in Rabat.

Ounahi was absent from the match due to injury and was seen arriving at the stadium on crutches.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Regragui said:

“Ounahi was injured during a training session. He is suffering from a muscle tear in his calf.”

He added:

“This injury will prevent Ounahi from continuing in the Africa Cup of Nations, and his absence could last between five and six weeks.”

Regragui also revealed that the player had previously suffered from the same injury while playing for Girona, before experiencing a relapse during Morocco’s training camp.

“Ounahi’s injury is a shock for the Moroccan national team. Today’s victory has a bitter taste,” the coach continued.

“We are happy to qualify, but we feel sad for Ounahi. It was difficult for the players, and today we had to qualify for him.”

Morocco will face Cameroon in the quarter-finals of AFCON 2025.

Morocco became the third team to qualify for the last eight, following Mali and Senegal, before Cameroon joined them.

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