Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi was stretchered off in the 19th minute of Panathinaikos’ match against Asteras Tripolis (5-1 win) with an injury to his left thigh. The club is awaiting tests to determine how long he will be out.
The evening had started well enough for Panathinaikos. It turned to worry over Azzedine Ounahi. Starting against Asteras Tripolis, the Morocco international midfielder felt a sharp pain in his left thigh and could not continue, according to Hespress, as relayed by Afrik-Foot. Medical staff carried him off the pitch on a stretcher in the 19th minute.
The Athens club still won comfortably 5-1, according to the same source. That result does not dispel the concern around the player, a month before the November international break, when the Atlas Lions face Niger on 13 and 17 November.
Club awaits test results
For now, the exact severity of the injury is not known. Panathinaikos is awaiting the results of further radiological tests to clarify how long its midfielder will be unavailable, Hespress reports. No length of absence has therefore been suggested, and no withdrawal from the national team has been announced at this stage.
In-depth medical tests are to be carried out in Athens to establish the exact length of his unavailability. The next steps, for both club and Morocco, will depend on their verdict.
A player on loan from Marseille
Having arrived in Greece on loan from Olympique de Marseille with an option to buy, according to Hespress and Médias24, Ounahi, 26, started against Asteras Tripolis. His early exit deprived Panathinaikos of their midfielder from the 19th minute, though the club went on to win comfortably.
The player was unable to finish the match, and it is now up to the radiological tests and consultations in Athens to clarify the nature of the left thigh injury.
Niger in sight
The calendar complicates matters. The November international break comes a month after this injury, with two Atlas Lions matches against Niger on 13 and 17 November, Hespress notes. The Morocco national team gathering is scheduled for early November.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi will have to deal with the uncertainty surrounding one of his midfielders. No statement from him has been reported in the case. Any call-up will depend on the results of the tests carried out in Athens.