Morocco Loses Key Forward Ismael Saibari Ahead of World Cup Quarter-Final Against France
Morocco faces a tough challenge as star forward Ismael Saibari will not feature in their World Cup quarter-final against France. The Bayern Munich player, who recently joined the club for €50 million, suffered a hamstring injury during Morocco’s 3-0 win over Canada in the round of 16. Despite an MRI showing the strain isn’t severe, he won't recover in time for the crucial match in Boston.
Coach Ouahbi Confirms Forward’s Absence
Morocco’s head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, spoke about Saibari’s situation before the game. He stressed the importance of fielding only fully fit players and expressed hope that Saibari might return later in the tournament if Morocco advances further.
"Everyone's available except Saibari, with the match coming too early for him, although he's not out for the rest of the tournament, I hope. Everyone's available, although we will only select players who are at 100%." – Mohamed Ouahbi
Team Adjustments and Confidence in Squad Depth
Saibari has been instrumental for Morocco, scoring three vital goals and netting the winning penalty that knocked the Netherlands out in the round of 32. With him sidelined, Soufiane Rahimi is expected to take the lead role up front. Ouahbi remains optimistic about his squad’s ability to step up, emphasizing the strength and readiness of the entire team to make an impact.
"When you want to go very far in a competition, you need everybody, and the players who cannot be in the starting 11 know that they have the opportunity to finish the match. We have starters, and then when others come on, they can make a difference on the pitch for us. This is a positive for the group and it gives us a lot of confidence." – Mohamed Ouahbi
Morocco Seeks Redemption in Boston
The upcoming match at Boston Stadium holds more than just a spot in the semi-finals; it’s a chance for Morocco to avenge their defeat by France in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. On a brighter note, defender Chadi Riad is back from injury, strengthening Morocco’s defense. Still, stopping Kylian Mbappe and the French side, currently on a six-game winning streak, demands a near-perfect performance from the Atlas Lions.
