logo
Ezzalzouli 's Injury Casts Doubt Ahead of AFCON

Ezzalzouli 's Injury Casts Doubt Ahead of AFCON

Morocco World20 hours ago
Real Betis winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli is still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained during the UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea, casting doubt over his readiness for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
The Moroccan international limped off in the 54th minute of the final, which Chelsea went on to win. Initial assessments suggested the injury was not serious, and Ezzalzouli was expected to join Morocco's training camp for friendlies against Benin and Tunisia.
However, following further evaluation, head coach Walid Regragui decided to omit the 22-year-old to allow for a full recovery and minimise the risk of aggravation.
Ezzalzouli remains a central figure in Morocco's plans for AFCON 2025. He has 23 senior caps, with three goals and three assists, and captained the U23 side to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title and a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Betis are monitoring the situation closely. While the club had initially played down the severity of the injury, sources confirm the winger is still on crutches due to ongoing ankle pain.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Soufiane El Bakkali Wins 3000m Steeplechase in Monaco Diamond League
Soufiane El Bakkali Wins 3000m Steeplechase in Monaco Diamond League

Morocco World

time15 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Soufiane El Bakkali Wins 3000m Steeplechase in Monaco Diamond League

Rabat – Moroccan athlete Soufiane El Bakkali won the men's 3,000 meters steeplechase on Friday at the Monaco Diamond League, one of the top international athletics meetings. El Bakkali finished first with a time of 8 minutes and 3.18 seconds, beating Japan's Ryuji Miura, who came in second with 8:03.43. Kenyan runner Edmond Serem took third place with a time of 8:04.00, while another Moroccan, Salaheddine Benyazide, finished fourth with 8:06.44. This victory confirms once again that El Bakkali is one of the best steeplechase runners in the world. He has been dominating the event in recent years. El Bakkali is the reigning Olympic champion and world champion in the 3000m steeplechase. He is known for his strong finishing kick and smart race strategy. El Bakkali has made history by winning gold medals at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, becoming the first man since the 1930s to defend his Olympic title in the 3000 meters steeplechase. He is also a two-time World Champion, having won the world titles in 2022 and 2023, defeating strong competitors and ending Kenya's long-standing dominance in this event. His personal best time of 7 minutes and 56.68 seconds, set in Rabat in 2023, is one of the fastest steeplechase times ever recorded, ranking eighth all-time. El Bakkali is known for his smart racing tactics as he often conserves energy early in the race and then unleashes a powerful finishing sprint in the final lap. His achievements have earned him the reputation as one of the greatest steeplechasers of all time. Tags: Diamond leagueel bakkaliRace

Morocco steps up preparations for AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2030
Morocco steps up preparations for AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2030

Ya Biladi

time16 hours ago

  • Ya Biladi

Morocco steps up preparations for AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2030

The Ministry of the Interior held a meeting on Friday to review the progress of key projects planned in preparation for two major sporting events to be hosted by the Kingdom: the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. For the World Cup, discussions centered on critical priorities such as stadium construction, infrastructure upgrades, and urban renewal, each essential to meeting international standards. As for AFCON 2025, all necessary measures are being implemented to ensure the tournament's success. The meeting emphasized the importance of ongoing coordination and regular monitoring by all stakeholders, ensuring strict oversight of these continental and global events. Both competitions are seen as strategic opportunities to elevate Morocco's international standing and inject renewed momentum into the national economy. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Fouzi Lekjaa, Chairman of the 2030 World Cup Committee, highlighted that the gathering followed the adoption on Thursday of the bill establishing the «Morocco 2030 Foundation». This foundation will be responsible for coordinating efforts among domestic and international stakeholders to ensure the success of this large-scale national project. Lekjaa added that work is already underway in several Moroccan cities to prepare for both sporting events. Regarding AFCON 2025, he affirmed that all infrastructure will be completed several months ahead of the tournament, showcasing and reinforcing the Kingdom's outstanding organizational capabilities.

Ezzalzouli 's Injury Casts Doubt Ahead of AFCON
Ezzalzouli 's Injury Casts Doubt Ahead of AFCON

Morocco World

time20 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Ezzalzouli 's Injury Casts Doubt Ahead of AFCON

Real Betis winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli is still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained during the UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea, casting doubt over his readiness for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The Moroccan international limped off in the 54th minute of the final, which Chelsea went on to win. Initial assessments suggested the injury was not serious, and Ezzalzouli was expected to join Morocco's training camp for friendlies against Benin and Tunisia. However, following further evaluation, head coach Walid Regragui decided to omit the 22-year-old to allow for a full recovery and minimise the risk of aggravation. Ezzalzouli remains a central figure in Morocco's plans for AFCON 2025. He has 23 senior caps, with three goals and three assists, and captained the U23 side to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title and a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Betis are monitoring the situation closely. While the club had initially played down the severity of the injury, sources confirm the winger is still on crutches due to ongoing ankle pain.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store