Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has withdrawn from the Morocco national team ahead of their double-header against the Central African Republic in this month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The 26-year-old has been ruled of the two matches due to injury concerns, and the Atlas Lions have called up Raja Casablanca’s Youssef Belammari as his replacement, head coach Walid Regragui announced on Monday.
“Coach Mr. Walid Regragui has called up Youssef Belammari to replace Noussair Mazraoui for two matches against Central African Republic,” Morocco revealed in statement on their official X platform.
🚨 السيد وليد الركراكي يستدعي يوسف بالعامري لتعويض نصير مزراوي المصاب ضد جمهورية إفريقيا الوسطى
Coach Mr. Walid Regragui has called up Youssef Belammari to replace Noussair Mazraoui for two matches against Central African Republic#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/RC95AgaKgd
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) October 7, 2024
Mazraoui, who moved to the Premier League from Bayern Munich this summer, has been an ever-present for United this season, playing in all their 10 matches so far this campaign.
The former Ajax defender was involved in only 45 minutes of action in the Red Devils goalless draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday as he was replaced by Victor Lindelof before the second half restart.
The club, however, has yet to disclosed the type or extent of the Moroccan’s injury but Mazraoui will remain in Manchester to undergo treatment with United’s medical team.
Meanwhile, for 26-year-old Belammari, this marks a return to the national team set up two years after he made his debut against Jamaica, a game he provided an assist in 77 minutes of action.
The Atlas Lions, Group B leaders, will host Les Fauves at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda on Saturday, October 12, before playing the reverse fixture three days later in the same ground.
