Chelsea Star Reaffirms Decision to Walk Away From From National Team Football

• Hakim Ziyech has confirmed his retirement from the Moroccan senior men's national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup play-offs
• Ziyech and head coach Vahid Halilhodžić have had a frosty relationship since last year and it appears the Chelsea star will no longer offer his services to the Atlas Lions
• Morocco has been paired with the Democratic Republic of Congo for the final eliminator of the FIFA World Cup, which takes place later this month

Netherlands-born Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech has reaffirmed his decision to prematurely hang his boots at the national team level.

The 28-year-old has endured a tense relationship with Bosnian gaffer Vahid Halilhodžić which has led to his absence from the Moroccan team since June 2021.

In a post on the picture-sharing app, Instagram, the tricky left-footed attacker made public his decision to excuse himself from national team assignments.

The former Ajax kingpin opted to defy his inclusion in the Moroccan squad, which will square off against the Democratic Republic of Congo for a slot in the 2022 World Cup, which will be staged in Qatar.

South Africa to lose gold medal after World Relay champion Thando Dlodlo Is banned for doping

Athletics

Ziyech feels let down by the leadership of the Moroccan football federation for what he terms as 'miscommunication' to have festered, painting him as the black sheep of the team.

Morocco wrestles with DR Congo for World Cup slot

The Atlas Lions will be looking to return to the global showpiece this year should they see off the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a two-legged play-off.

Although Morocco is yet to announce their provisional squad for the showdown, Ziyec confirms his name has been included in Halilhodžić's team.

Morocco head to Lubumbashi for the first leg on March 25 before hosting their counterparts from Central Africa four days later.

Moroccan coach Vahid Halilhodžić slams Hakim Ziyech for unacceptable behaviour

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech has sensationally retired from international duty with immediate effect.

The 28-year-old announced his decision to quit the national team on Tuesday, six weeks after he was left out of Morocco’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori returns to training with Orlando Pirates after six-month absence

Football

Ziyech has not played for his country since June last year due to the ongoing row with Halilhodzic who claims the ex-Ajax star didn't want to train and wrongly claimed to be injured ahead of the Africa Cup.

Morocco head coach Vahid Halilhodžić slammed the Chelsea midfielder for “unacceptable” behaviour.

Halihodzic alleged that the 28-year-old feigned injury to avoid playing in a 1-0 friendly victory over Ghana during the previous international break in June.