Bafana Bafana have received a huge boost ahead of their crucial 2023 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash on Tuesday night as one of Morocco's most dangerous players has been ruled out of the match.
With just hours before the two sides meet, Atlas Lions coach Walid Regragui has confirmed the loss of one of their most important stars.
Read: OFFICIAL: CAF gives new ruling to Morocco ahead of SA clash
Speaking ahead of the match, the manager confirmed that skilful winger Sofiane Boufal will play no further part at AFCON due to injury.
According to KingFut, Regragui confirmed: "Sofiane Boufal's journey in the Africa Cup of Nations has come to an end, unless there is a miracle, due to his muscle injury."
The 30-year-old Al-Rayyan star featured in all three of Morocco's group games, and helped his side top Group E to set up an appointment with South Africa.
The north Africans are also in a race against time regarding Hakim Ziyech's availability, with their injury list also comprising Bayern Munich star Noussair Mazraoui.
In June 2023, Bafana were the first team to beat Morocco after their historic display at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
Read: 'The desire is to take revenge on Bafana'
Regragui also acknowledged the heavy Mamelodi Sundowns influence within the Bafana squad.
"I respect your team, your national team, and what I said about Sundowns is that your team has more than seven players playing for Sundowns," he said, according to iDiski Times.
"It provides habits for your team, a team that has confidence because on the continent with Sundowns, they won the Super League (AFL), they always play well in the Champions League and that gives confidence.
"But [Bafana] is a different team, different spirit, it's the same as the last time, I said in Joburg when we lost, it's a different team, different spirit, different competition. It's only that we need to fight to win this game against South Africa.
"We treat all teams that same, we respect South Africa, with humility of my country, we'll try our best to qualify for the quarter-final. Inshallah."
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