Tarik Sektioui, the head coach of the Moroccan Olympic football team, has been dealt a significant blow by Swiss club FC Lugano’s refusal to release defender Ayman Al-Wafi for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In response, Sektioui is set to replace Al-Wafi with reserve player Adel Tahif. However, this substitution presents a substantial challenge, as it leaves the Moroccan squad with only two central defenders: Mehdi Boukamir, who is primarily a bench player for Charleroi, and Adel Tahif from Berkane.
The situation is further complicated by Sektioui’s decision to call up four full-backs while limiting his selection to just two center-backs. This could prove to be a critical issue should either Boukamir or Tahif face injuries or suspensions during the tournament, leaving the team vulnerable in the defensive line.