Morocco will have to make do without Ilias Chair in their starting lineup ahead of tonight’s last-16 meeting with Malawi.
The Queens Park Rangers star came off injured during the 2-2 draw against Gabon that closed out the Atlas Lions’ group stage, and is only fit enough to take a place on the bench.
Achraf Hakimi trained ahead of the game having also been a doubt, with coach Vahid Halilhodzic confirming ahead of time that he would be fit.
Halilhodzic said ahead of the match: “We face a very combative team on Tuesday, who want to go even further in the competition and who play good football… I don’t agree with those who say that Morocco are favourites.
“You know, if we go back to history, Morocco left the last edition [of the tournament] at this round.
“For us, the important thing is therefore the qualification and it is a match where we will have to arm ourselves with determination, concentration and discipline. Don’t think Malawi are an easy team.”
Morocco starting XI: Bounou, Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Masina, Amrabat, Louza, Amallah, El Kaabi, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
