RABAT — Morocco winger Abde Ezzalzouli has undergone tests on his injured knee to determine if he will be fit for his team’s World Cup opener against Brazil, a source close to the matter told AFP.
The Real Betis forward sustained the injury to his right knee during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Norway in a pre-tournament friendly and had to be helped off the pitch.
“Everyone is waiting for Ezzalzouli’s test results to determine the severity of his injury and to know if he’ll recover in time for the World Cup,” said the source.
Morocco play five-time world champions Brazil in their opening match in East Rutherford on Saturday. They will also face Scotland and Haiti in group C.
According to the source, team officials “need to wait 48 hours to know the details of the injury before taking a decision”.
However, reports of Ezzalzouli being sidelined for three to four weeks, or even missing the World Cup entirely, were dismissed as “speculation”.
Morocco also has concerns over the fitness of Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui, who hurt his shoulder in the game against Norway.
