Elim CAN U23: Morocco diminished before playing Mali

Morocco will travel to Bamako on Tuesday to face Mali in the second leg of the U23 AFCON playoff, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Marrakech. The return match comes with added challenges for the Moroccan Olympic team, as four key players are sidelined due to injuries sustained in the first leg. Noussair Mazraoui (Ajax Amsterdam), Anass Ouahim (VfL Osnabrück), and Raja players Zakaria El Wardi and Mohammed Douik will all miss this decisive fixture.

The absence of these important players adds to the uncertainty after the first-leg draw, leaving coach Patrice Beaumelle with the task of reorganizing his squad and finding the right chemistry to secure qualification. Morocco must overcome both the challenging environment in Bamako and the setback of missing key contributors if they hope to advance to the U23 AFCON finals.

Kick-off for this crucial second leg is scheduled for 16:30 GMT.