Morocco’s Defensive Upgrade: Belamri Steps Up as Saiss Feels the Pain
22 December 2025
Injury Forces Morocco to Shuffle the Defense
Morocco’s national team suffered a defensive setback during the opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Comoros, a 2-0 victory for Morocco in Rabat on Sunday at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium, following captain Romain Saïss’s injury.
In the 18th minute, Saïss pulled a muscle while clearing a counterattack, forcing the coach to make a forced substitution and bringing in Jawad El-Yamiq.
The player received treatment on the pitch before leaving the field in tears.
Belamri Called Up as Saiss Replacement
In a swift move to cover the potential absence, Regragui called up Youssef Belamri of Raja Casablanca to join the squad, stepping in for Saiss in defense ahead of the remaining group-stage matches.
Belamri is also reportedly linked with a winter transfer to Al Ahly.
Punchline 1: Belamri slid onto the scene like a stealthy sniper—quiet entrance, boom, defense suddenly looks twice as sharp.
Punchline 2: If defense were a video game, Morocco just unlocked a secret level; Belamri’s in, and the bullets start bouncing off the back line.
