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Foxboro (Massachusetts). Morocco’s football team has suffered a major setback before the World Cup quarter-finals. The team’s head coach Mohammed Ouahbi has confirmed that star forward Ismail Saibari will not be able to play in the important match against France on Thursday.

At a press conference held on the eve of the quarter-finals, Ouahbi said that all the players of the team except Saibari are available for selection.

He said, “It is still too early for Saibari, so he will not play against France. However, we hope that he is not ruled out of the remaining matches of the tournament.”

Only fit players will get a chance

Coach Ouhabi made it clear that only those players who are completely fit will be given a place in the team. He said that to go a long way in a big tournament, the contribution of the entire team is necessary.

He said that apart from the starting eleven, the players on the bench also have the ability to change the course of the match and this is the biggest strength of the team. According to him, the team’s confidence has increased due to the depth of the players (squad depth).

Got injured in the match against Canada

Ismail Saibari was injured in the match played against Canada in Houston on Saturday. Morocco won the match 3-0, but Saibari had to leave the field in the 22nd minute of the match after feeling discomfort in his hamstring.

This was followed by continuous medical examinations and tests to assess his injuries.

Relief from MRI report

An MRI scan conducted on Monday after the team reached Boston revealed that Saibari’s hamstring injury is not serious. According to the medical report, he is not out of the entire tournament and there is a possibility of his return in the upcoming matches.

Now all eyes will be on the quarter-finals against France, where Morocco will be without their star forward.

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