WORLD CUP FOCUS : Tunisia suffer Youssef Msakni blow

Youssef Msakni of Tunisia is challenged by Idrissa Gueye of Senegal during the Afcon Group B match between Tunisia and Senegal on the 15 January 2017 at Franceville Stadium, Gabon Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Tuesday Apr 10, 2018. 12:30

Tunisian international striker Youssef Msakni will miss the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after being ruled out for six months because of a knee injury.

The 27-year-old suffered an injury during Al Duhail's 5-2 victory over Al Sailiya in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) on Saturday.

Msakni has confirmed the injury and will not be able to help the Carthage Eagles when they face England, Belgium and Panama in Group G in Russia.

The striker took to Instagram to celebrate the club's sixth QSL title and also shared the news regarding his injury.

"Msakni suffered a cruciate ligament injury," an Al Duhail statement read.

"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 added.

He finished as second top scorer in the Qatari league with 25 goals, one behind team-mate and Morocco international Youssef El-Arabi.

However, having qualified for three successive World Cups between 1998 and 2006, Tunisia missed the tournaments in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014.