Striker who missed penalty against Super Eagles during AFCON 2025 tears his ACL

Morocco and Lille striker Hamza Igamane has suffered a devastating injury setback following the AFCON 2025 final against Senegal.

The 23-year-old now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines and could miss the World Cup after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Igamane’s AFCON campaign had already been emotionally charged after Morocco’s tense semifinal clash with Nigeria.

The Lille forward was the first player to miss in the penalty shootout after the match ended goalless across 120 minutes, briefly putting the hosts on the back foot.

However, Morocco were rescued by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, whose crucial saves helped secure a 4–2 shootout victory and a place in the final.

While he was not blamed for the semifinal scare, the striker’s AFCON journey ultimately ended in disappointment as Morocco fell at the last hurdle.

Igamane started the final against Senegal on the bench before being introduced in extra time as Walid Regragui’s sixth substitute. His appearance lasted just seven minutes before he was forced off injured, leaving Morocco to finish the match with 10 men as Senegal went on to claim a 1–0 victory.

Lille later confirmed the severity of the injury in an official statement, revealing that tests showed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The club confirmed that the forward will be unavailable for several months, casting serious doubt over his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

The timing is particularly cruel, with the injury coming just five months before the tournament, where Morocco are set to face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

Igamane had been enjoying a strong debut season in France after joining Lille from Rangers, scoring nine goals in 21 appearances across all competitions.

Now, instead of building momentum on the international stage, the young striker faces a long road to recovery as both club and country anxiously await his return.