Belhanda out of World Cup qualifier

Morocco will be without Younes Belhanda for Saturday’s clash with Ivory Coast due to injury.

The Montpellier midfielder, who was voted Young Player of the Year in the French Ligue 1 this season, sustained a knock to his ankle while representing the national side against Gambia last weekend, forcing him to be ruled out of the CAF World Cup qualifier.

The 22-year-old is expected to be on the sidelines for three weeks but will be ready to begin pre-season work with his domestic club at the end of the month.

His absence is a blow for the north Africans, who are also missing Heerenveen striker Oussama Assaidi through injury for their home clash with the Ivorians.

Morocco began their Group C qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw at Gambia, while Ivory Coast notched a 2-0 win over Tanzania in their opening fixture.