Tunisia suffer big blow: Msakni to miss World Cup

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Apr 08, 2018. 16:06

Tunisia international forward Youssef Msakni is set to miss the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals after being ruled out for six months with a knee injury.

The forward was injured during his club Al Duhail's 5-2 victory over Al Sailiya in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) match which was played on Saturday.

Al Duhail released the following statement:

"Msakni suffered a cruciate ligament injury during Al Duhail's match against Al Sailiya in the final match of the QNB Stars League."

"He will be out for action for six months, ending his season with Al Duhail and will also be absent from his national team's participation in the World Cup in Russia which will begin in June," a statement read.

Al Duhail clinched the Qatar Stars League title after beating Al Sailiya and Msakni took to Instagram to celebrate the club's trophy, and he also confirmed his injury.

"Thank God for this, but it's just fate to experience the unexpected. Congratulations for the trophy. Sadly this injury has denied me a chance to continue with my club and to play in the World Cup," Msakni posted.

Msakni scored three goals in four matches during Tunisia's successful World Cup qualifying campaign.