Morocco hit with injury blow ahead of South Africa duel

• Soufiane Boufal is ruled out
• Hakim Ziyech is a doubt for the game
• Mali plays Burkina Faso in the early kick off

Morocco have been dealt a blow ahead of their round of 16 match against South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations, with striker Soufiane Boufal ruled out while midfielder Hakim Ziyech is a doubt with injury.

Head coach Walid Regragui has admitted it will be a blow missing the duo, but insists they can cope.

“Boufal is out and his AFCON is over. He has a muscular problem and, barring a surprise, we won’t be seeing him again. Ziyech is also suffering from his ankle. The medical staff and I are doing everything we can to get him back on the pitch. If we have to take a risk with him, we’ll take it,” the tactician said looking forward to the game against South Africa.

The two attacking threats will be hugely missed against a very unpredictable South African side, but Regragui says they have enough depth and they can do well against Bafana Bafana.

“It’s a knockout match. It’s a change of competition. We can’t afford to make any mistake. We’ve done well so far, but we want to do better.  We have a lot of respect for South Africa. They were the last team to beat us on the continent,” the tactician offered.

Morocco are seeking their first AFCON title in almost four decades, and have vowed to ensure they get all the way to the final.

Morocco are beatable, say South Africa

South Africa training before their game

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are looking to down giants Morocco, and head coach Hugo Broos is confident they have what it takes. The tactician believes his team has shown great promise in their group stage matches, and they can go one better and book a place in the quarter finals.

Broos admits that Morocco have a high pedigree, but having beaten them before, it gives them confidence they can do it again.

“Morocco are coming from a great World Cup run in Qatar and being the best in Africa, so we are aware of what we are up against. We beat them in Johannesburg last year and that gives us hope and confidence. But this is a different time and tournament, and some players are different too. So we cannot think for a minute that it will be the same, certainly not,” the tactician said.

South Africa are back to the AFCON after missing the last edition in Cameroon while in Egypt in 2019, they fell off at this very same stage.

“Anything is possible and we want to create another surprise in this competition. We’re confident, we believe in ourselves and in what we can do. I think we’ll have to go into this match with the same frame of mind we’ve had recently, but I want us to be at a very high level,” further added the coach.

Mali ready for tough ‘derby’ with Burkina Faso

Mali players celebrate their victory over South Africa. PHOTO/CAF

Elsewhere, Mali head coach Eric Chelle says they expect a tough outing against neighbors Burkina Faso in the early kick off.

The Malians are seeking to progress off the round of 16 for the first time since they made the semis in 2013 and Chelle says they are driven by ambition, but know it will not come easy.

“Of course, it’s a game with neighboring countries just like we have seen in other matches however, this one is more special because it is the knockout. These are always interesting games to play and must be approached with caution and of course a bit of confidence,” said Chelle, speaking ahead of the game.

He says Burkina Faso have shown their worth over time and should be an opponent that will bring the best out of them.

“They play good football. The coach is experienced and is able to engage his team. It’s a pleasure playing against our neighbours, and we look forward to a good game as both teams that enjoy keeping the ball”,” further stated the tactician.