Herve Renard to rest Nabil Dirar ahead of World Cup

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Tuesday Jun 05, 2018. 13:00

Morocco national team coach Herve Renard has assured the nation about Nabil Dirar’s injury ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Atlas Lions’ boss has reassured Moroccans following Dirar’s injury on Sunday, saying the payer will be rested to heal properly.

Morocco beat Slovakia 2-1 on Monday in Geneva, just a few days before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

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“Dirar had a small calf alert and there is no point in taking unnecessary risks. We are 10 days away from the competition and we must not use his assets,” Renard said during a press briefing at the Geneva stadium.

“It’s just a precaution to be in possession of all our strength on the D-day…. It’s better to leave him a few days off, and not let him play tomorrow to make sure he can get back in shape pretty quickly.”

The North Africans are in Group B in Russia and will play their first game on June 15 in St. Petersburg against Iran.

Up next for them will be a clash against Portugal five days later at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow before wrapping up on June 25 against Spain in Kaliningrad.