Ouahbi, Hakimi reject Brazil fear as Morocco open World Cup campaign

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said the Atlas Lions will not change their approach against Brazil despite losing Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli to injury before their World Cup opener.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ouahbi said Morocco had prepared for possible changes during the tournament and had enough cover in the squad to face one of the competition’s strongest teams.

“All the players are ready. It’s true that we had to replace two players, but everyone else is available and ready to play,” Ouahbi said.

Aguerd and Ezzalzouli were removed from Morocco’s World Cup squad this week, with defender Marwane Saadane and winger Amine Sbai approved as replacements. Reuters reported that Aguerd had been out since March with a groin injury that later involved a pubic bone fracture, while Ezzalzouli injured his right knee during Morocco’s friendly against Norway.

“We are disappointed to be without Aguerd and Ezzalzouli, but we have found solutions, and that is the most important thing,” Ouahbi said. “We are confident and will continue doing the same work we always do.”

Ouahbi said the absences would not alter Morocco’s playing principles. Chamseddine Talbi is among the options available, but the coach said the broader plan remains unchanged.

“Talbi is one of the options we have. We will not change our principles. Just because we are playing in the World Cup does not mean we will change our philosophy,” he said.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi also addressed the loss of Aguerd and Ezzalzouli, saying the squad had been affected by their absence but would use it as added motivation.

“We will do our best on the pitch for Ezzalzouli and Aguerd, who unfortunately missed the opportunity to be here with us at the World Cup,” Hakimi said.

Hakimi said Morocco respect Brazil’s individual quality, including Vinicius Junior, but rejected the idea that the match should be viewed as unequal.

“We know the opponent we are facing tomorrow, we know their quality and the players they have. But we also have quality,” he said. “People call us the ‘Brazil of Africa’ and we have players with great abilities.”

The Paris Saint-Germain defender said stopping Brazil would require a collective effort rather than an individual duel.

“To defend against Vinicius and the rest of Brazil’s top-level players, we need to defend as a team,” Hakimi said. “We have worked on that and we are ready.”

Morocco open Group C against Brazil at New York/New Jersey Stadium before facing Scotland and Haiti.