Nayef Aguerd’s absence from Morocco’s 2–0 victory over Lesotho in the second round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers has offered a degree of relief to Marseille, particularly head coach Bruno Génésio, who is closely monitoring the defender’s physical condition.
Rather than travelling with the Atlas Lions to South Africa, the Moroccan international remained in Morocco to continue his rehabilitation programme at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé.
A Careful Approach to His Recovery
The decision reflects the cautious approach being taken with the centre-back as he continues to rebuild his fitness following a period on the sidelines.
Although he was included in Morocco’s squad for the international window, the decision was made not to rush him back into competitive action.
Remaining at the national training complex has allowed him to continue his individual programme under the supervision of the technical staff, while avoiding the demands of international travel and another match before he is fully ready.
Marseille Welcome the Decision
The decision is also viewed positively in Marseille, where the coaching staff are dealing with limited options in defence.
The situation became more delicate after Derek Cornelius suffered a hip injury while on international duty with Canada, further reducing the available defensive options.
With the club already managing injuries in the back line, avoiding additional physical demands on Aguerd represents a positive development.
An Important Player for Génésio
The defender remains an important option for the French coach because of his experience and tactical versatility.
He is capable of operating in different defensive systems, whether as part of a back three or a traditional back four, giving the coaching staff greater flexibility when selecting their defensive structure.
That versatility becomes particularly valuable when injuries reduce the number of available options.
No Need to Rush the Return
For both Morocco and Marseille, the priority is to see the Moroccan international return when he is physically ready rather than risk an early comeback.
Staying at the Mohammed VI Football Complex instead of travelling to South Africa allowed him to continue his rehabilitation without adding unnecessary demands during an important stage of his recovery.
Marseille Await His Return
With the club facing a challenging period defensively, having Aguerd return at full fitness could provide an important boost.
For now, the focus remains on completing his recovery programme and gradually rebuilding his match readiness.
From Marseille’s perspective, keeping the centre-back away from unnecessary physical risks during the international window represents a reassuring outcome as they wait for one of their key defensive options to return.