Moroccan Defender Could Miss Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco will have to do without key defender Achraf Hakimi in this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations finals after being ruled out with a broken metatarsal.

The Borussia Dortmund man will be out for nearly twelve weeks after picking the injury during Saturday’s league match against Wolfsburg, said a statement from Bundesliga.

It is expected to be a serious blow to coach Herve Renard’s hopes for the Atlas Lions at the tournament in Egypt.

The 20-year-old came as a second-half substitute and lasted for only 20-minutes before he himself had to be replaced after damaging his right foot.

He made 21 appearances after recovering from the damaged foot which was operated on in Spain where he was playing for Real Madrid.

As well as contributing two goals and four assists, Hakimi has proven a good-luck charm this season for his new club.

Showing versatility to play at both right and left-back, he remained unbeaten in his first 17 Bundesliga appearances and has in fact lost just one of his 21 games in the German top flight.

Born in Madrid, Hakimi joined Real Madrid’s youth set-up at the tender age of 8 and made his professional debut for the club 11 years later before being loaned to BVB at the beginning of this season.

Hakimi has made 14 appearances for Morocco national team and has scored one goal that came on 1st September 2017 in a 6–0 home routing of Mali.