Top Chelsea Star Dropped from Morocco's 2022 AFCON Squad

Top Chelsea Star Dropped from Morocco's 2022 AFCON Squad

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:50 PM
  • Hakim Ziyech will play no role in the 2022 AFCON finals after he was snubbed from Morocco's squad
  • Ziyech failed to make the cut due to an ongoing feud between him and Morocco's head coach Vahid Halilhodzic
  • The feud between the pair dates back to September when Halilhodzic revealed he was unable to put up with the winger's behaviour
  • The 28-year-old has 40 caps and 17 goals for the North African nation

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has shockingly been left out of Morocco's squad for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech. Photo: Getty Images.
The 28-year-old has 40 caps and 17 goals for the North African nation. Photo: Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images

Ziyech becomes of the highest-profile players plying their trade in the Premier League to be snubbed for the competition.

Goal reports the former Ajax star was overlooked due to an ongoing feud between him and Morocco national team head coach, Vahid Halilhodzic.

Back in September, Halilhodzic divulged that his patience with Ziyech had been pushed beyond breaking point.

At the time, the Bosnian tactician claimed the winger had refused to train on grounds he had an injury despite tests proving he was fit to play.

“I won’t tolerate it. Not this behaviour as long as I coach Morocco," Halilhodzic was quoted saying.

Despite his decision to drop Ziyech, the Morocco tactician named a strong team that will be making the trip to Cameroon.

Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi headlines Morocco's 25-man squad.

The north African nation has been pooled alongside Ghana, Comoros, and Gabon in Group C.

They will kick off their campaign against Ghana on Monday, January 10.

Meanwhile, Ziyech's latest snub will come as a major boost for Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea.

Chelsea plot move for Barca star

Earlier Sports Brief reported Chelsea have reportedly entered the race to sign Barcelona star Sergino Dest ahead of the January transfer window.

Chelsea are in the market for a replacement for Ben Chilwell who suffered a season-ending injury.

Marcos Alonso is the Blues' only option on the left, and have now identified Serino Dest to fill the void.

Dest is currently contracted at Camp Nou until 2025 but Barca could be open to selling him as they are close to landing Ferran Torres.

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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.