Morocco will have to move forward in the tournament without its captain. Romain Saïss was forced to leave the pitch during the first half of the opening match against Comoros due to injury, making way for Jawad El Yamiq. While the full extent of Saïss’s injury has yet to be confirmed, early indications suggest he may not return for the rest of the competition.
Reacting swiftly to the setback, head coach Walid Regragui has called up Youssef Belammari, the left-back from Raja Casablanca, to reinforce the squad. Previously listed among the reserves, Belammari has already joined the national team at the Mohammed VI Complex in Maâmora, where preparations are underway for the next crucial fixture.
Belammari’s presence at training confirms he has officially been added to Morocco’s main squad as they gear up for a high-stakes clash against Mali. That match is scheduled for Friday, December 26, at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. With Saïss sidelined, Belammari could be thrust into a key role on the left side of Morocco’s defense.
Despite the injury blow, the mood inside the Moroccan camp remains focused and confident, buoyed by a solid 2-0 victory in their opening match, thanks to goals from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi. As the coaching staff continues fine-tuning tactics ahead of the Mali game, they’ll be aware that their next opponents were held to a 1-1 draw by Zambia in their own tournament opener.
