Morocco beat Serbia without Real Madrid's Hakimi

Konan Nclomande Ghislain from Ivory Coast (R) vies for the ball with Hakimi Achraf (L) from Morocco during the FIFA World Cup 2018 play-off matc between the Ivory Coast and Morocco in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 11 November 2017. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Mar 24, 2018. 12:00

Morocco international Achraf Hakimi has been withdrawn from the Atlas Lions squad.

Hakimi, who plies his trade in the Spanish La Liga for Real Madrid, missed Morocco's win over Serbia on Friday.

The Atlas Lions edged out the Eagles 2-1 in an international friendly match at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Italy.

The 19-year-old sustained an injury during Morocco's first training session in Turin ahead of the clash with Serbia and he was withdrawn from the squad.

"Achraf Hakimi was injured during the first day of training with the national team," Morocco’s national football team doctor Abderrazak Hifti said in a video statement.

"The situation is still unclear but Real Madrid have demanded his return to Madrid."

Morocco, who are set to participate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, will face Uzbekistan in another friendly match in Casablanca on Tuesday.