Medias24: Azzedine Ounahi Sidelined Until January Due to Injury

Atlas Lions midfielder Azzedine Ounahi will be sidelined until at least January due to a right hamstring injury sustained while playing for Panathinaikos, Medias24 reported on October 20, 2026.

Right Hamstring Tear Halts Season

Ounahi left the pitch on a stretcher with his face in his hands and tears in his eyes last Sunday, immediately casting doubt on his availability for club and country. Medical evaluations confirmed a right hamstring tear requiring an estimated three-month recovery period. During this absence, the 26-year-old playmaker is expected to miss approximately 15 matches across all competitions for Panathinaikos.

Missed World Cup Qualifiers and CAN 2027 Matches

The timeline rules Ounahi out for Morocco’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Niger. The Atlas Lions are scheduled to face Niger at the Complexe Mohammed V in Casablanca on Friday, November 13, 2026, before playing the return fixture in Rabat on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi must manage the upcoming November international window without one of his core midfielders, who has accumulated 58 international caps.

Medias24: Azzedine Ounahi Sidelined Until January Due to Injury — Photo: Mountakhab.net

Ounahi Suffers Recurring Muscle Injuries

Medical history shows this is Ounahi’s second hamstring injury of his career, compounding a pattern of physical setbacks. Since moving to European clubs, the former Académie Mohammed VI trainee has missed matches due to recurring muscle issues at least once per season. A similar injury occurred during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage, when a calf problem forced him out following an earlier tear months prior. These injuries have repeatedly surfaced during peak performance periods for both club and national teams.

Squad Adjustments for Head Coach Mohamed Ouahbi

With Ounahi unavailable, Ouahbi has several options to maintain midfield stability. Bilal El Khannouss serves as the natural replacement within the squad. Alternative tactical adjustments could include dropping Ismail Saibari into a deeper role or calling up Amine Harit, who has experienced strong form with Olympique de Marseille.

Beyond Ounahi’s absence, the national team faces additional roster concerns. LeSiteinfo.com reported that midfielder Soufiane El Faouzi sustained a head bleed following a collision with teammate Robin Gosens during a match between Schalke and Cologne. Pendant ce temps, Al Ain a indiqué que l’attaquant Soufiane Rahimi a subi une blessure musculaire lors d’un match de Coupe des Émirats face à Shabab Al-Ahli, laissant son statut incertain avant les qualifications de novembre aux côtés d’Ayoub El Kaabi.