馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Uncertainty surrounds Ezzalzouli's injury, Mazraoui's condition reassuring for Atlas Lions
via Le Matin1 min read
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli's knee injury, sustained during a friendly match against Norway, continues to be a concern for the Moroccan national team's technical staff. The Atlas Lions winger has undergone additional medical examinations, but a definitive diagnosis regarding the nature and severity of his injury is still pending. Further tests are required before a decision can be made on his availability for upcoming national team commitments. The medical and technical staff expect to have a clearer picture within the next two days, at which point a decision on his participation may be made. In contrast, news regarding Noussair Mazraoui is more positive. The Moroccan full-back has a minor shoulder contusion, which the medical staff considers not serious. He is expected to return to collective training sessions later this week. As the Atlas Lions prepare for their match against Brazil, Ezzalzouli's situation remains a primary concern, with upcoming medical examinations crucial for determining the extent of his injury and his ability to return to competition quickly, while Mazraoui appears to be on the path to recovery.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Sofyan Amrabat, following a mixed season with Real Betis, is a target for two Saudi Pro League clubs, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ittihad. Al-Qadsiah has reportedly made an official offer of approximately 20 million euros to Fenerbah莽e for the Moroccan midfielder, who is under contract until June 2028. Al-Ittihad has also entered the race, offering a substantial salary package estimated at nearly 5 million dollars per season, which would make Amrabat one of the highest-paid players in Saudi Arabia. Real Betis, where Amrabat played this season, cannot compete financially, despite coach Manuel Pellegrini's desire to keep him. Amrabat's season at Real Betis, on loan without a purchase option after a stint at Manchester United, saw him play 23 matches across all competitions. While his physical impact and defensive contributions were noted, his time in La Liga was hampered by injuries, including a tibia issue and ankle surgery. A move to the Saudi Pro League could also impact his position in the Moroccan national team, where competition is increasing due to emerging talents like Ayyoub Bouaddi and his recent physical setbacks. Amrabat, a key player in Morocco's 2022 World Cup campaign, would need to maintain high performance and fitness levels to secure his place under Mohamed Ouahbi if he moves to Saudi Arabia.
Must ReadThe Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS has scheduled a closed-door hearing for October 8, 2026, in Lausanne, Switzerland, to address the dispute surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations CAN final. Representatives from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation FRMF, the Confederation of African Football CAF, and the Senegalese Football Federation FSF are expected to attend. The dispute originated from a CAF Appeals Jury decision on March 17, 2026, which declared Senegal forfeited from the final and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, citing Senegal's violation of articles 82 and 84 of the CAN regulations. Senegal's appeal, registered with CAS on March 25, seeks to overturn this decision. Morocco views this hearing as the final step toward confirming its continental title, awarded based on competition rules. The CAS stated that the parties did not agree to an expedited procedure, so the process is following the usual timeline. The hearing will be held behind closed doors as the parties did not request a public session. The arbitral panel will begin deliberations after hearing all parties, but no decision will be rendered on the day of the hearing. CAS has not indicated when a decision will be announced and has cautioned against misinformation, stating that only information published through its official channels should be considered reliable.
The President of Mali thanked King Mohammed VI for Morocco's consistent and coherent stance in favor of Mali's sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity. This appreciation was expressed during an audience held on the sidelines of the 4th session of the Moroccan-Malian Joint Cooperation Commission. The Malian President also praised the existing ties of friendship and solidarity between the two nations and thanked King Mohammed VI for his multifaceted support to Mali. He expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations and affirmed Mali's commitment to working with Morocco to further strengthen these ties across all sectors.