NEW YORK, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Morocco has suffered a double injury setback on the eve of the World Cup finals with confirmation that it will be without key defender Nayef Aguerd and winger Ezzalzouli Abde.
Olympique Marseille defender Aguerd, who also suffered injury heartbreak at the 2022 World Cup when he missed the quarterfinal and semifinal, has failed to recover in time from groin surgery.
After giving Aguerd as much time as possible to regain fitness, Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has called up Marwane Saadane as a replacement.
Betis winger Abde suffered a twisted knee ligament during Morocco's friendly against Norway at the weekend after colliding with a teammate.
Morocco faces Brazil in its World Cup opener on Saturday in a group that also includes Scotland and Haiti. ■