By Metohuey Michael Adoglo
Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has rejected the chance to play for Morocco in their 2022 World Cup play-off against DR Congo later this month.
The 28-year-old, who has not played for the Atlas Lions since June 2021, announced his decision to quit international football last month after a falling-out with Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic.
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But Morocco Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa, revealed to local media that Ziyech and Ajax defender Noussair Mazraoui, another player involved in a dispute with Halilhodzic, were both included in Morocco’s preliminary squad for the two-legged tie.
However, Ziyech explained why he will not be returning to play for his country again amid continued “misinformation” about his commitment to the North Africans.
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Since featuring against Ghana and Burkina Faso last June, Ziyech has been involved in a war of words with Bosnian, Halilhodzic, regarding his availability for international duty.
The former Ajax man missed all six group-stage fixtures in Morocco’s World Cup qualifying campaign, and Halilhodzic criticised the player’s commitment after Morocco, who are looking to qualify for a second successive World Cup, exited this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in the quarter-finals without Ziyech.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of Africanian News.