Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, confirmed on Sunday evening that Atlas Lions midfielder Azzeddine Ounahi will be unavailable for the remainder of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), currently being played in Morocco until January 18.
“Ounahi was injured during training on Saturday. He is suffering from a calf tear. He will not be able to play in this AFCON,” coach Regragui said during the post-match press conference following the Morocco–Tanzania game (1–0).
According to the Moroccan coach, Ounahi, who plays for Spanish club Girona, will be sidelined for five to six weeks.
“It was a previous injury he picked up at Girona. Unfortunately, we have lost our technical leader. Yesterday, it was difficult for everyone. We had to qualify for him,” Walid Regragui added.
The Atlas Lions secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Tanzania thanks to a goal by Brahim Diaz in the 64th minute, in a round-of-16 match played on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Regragui emphasized that the Moroccan national team knew it would face difficulties during this AFCON, noting that the most important thing remains qualification for the quarterfinals.
“We knew the match would not be easy. At this stage of the competition, the most important thing is qualification,” he stated.
“In the first half, we made many technical mistakes, which gave confidence to the opponent. The second half was more in line with our standards,” Regragui explained.
According to the national team coach, Morocco, playing at home, is obliged to press and look for goals, which inevitably leaves spaces at the back.
