Mazraoui preparing for huge contest

Monday 12 January 2026 13:37Noussair Mazraoui is preparing for a huge game on Wednesday, as Morocco meet Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.Our versatile defender is our sole remaining representative at the tournament, after Amad followed Bryan Mbeumo in departing the event. Amad’s Ivory Coast were edged out 3-2 by Egypt on Saturday night, while Mbeumo’s Cameroon were beaten 2-0 by Morocco on Friday.Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui were in direct opposition in the quarter-finals.The Atlas Lions, backed by home support, remain the favourites to lift the trophy as this is currently their best run in AFCON since 2004. Mazraoui has been a regular, so far, and is expected to start in the 20:00 GMT kick-off. He has been named in each of the line-ups by coach Walid Regragui and played for 408 of the 450 mninutes. Before the finals, he told us: “This is the moment to really, really shine and everybody expects us to do some great things there.” Azzedine Ounah is an injury doubt, while Nigeria are definitely without skipper Wilfred Ndidi, who is suspended.It is worth noting there is also a third/fourth-placed play-off on Saturday, before Sunday’s big final in Rabat. Hence, Mazraoui would appear to be definitely ruled out of the Manchester derby at the weekend. It is hoped Amad and Mbeumo will be available for the Old Trafford clash against the Blues in the Premier League, which starts at 12:30 GMT. Senegal take on Egypt in the other last-four encounter, kicking off on Wednesday at 17:00 GMT. City’s Omar Marmoush, therefore, seems set to be absent for our neighbours, after scoring one of the goals in the win over Ivory Coast.Recommended:Press conference: Fletcher post-Brighton VideoPress conference: Fletcher post-Brighton💬 PRESS CONFERENCE | Darren Fletcher says United must quickly look to bounce back with a derby v City on the horizon…Monday 12 January 2026 13:37Back to Top