Jamie Weir mocks West Ham United as Nayef Aguerd misses Morocco v France at last minute
Sky Sports journalist Jamie Weir has mocked West Ham United after Nayef Aguerd missed Morocco’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to France at the last minute.
Aguerd was named in Morocco’s starting eleven but was not present when the two sides took to the pitch at the Al Bayt Stadium. The Atlas Lions suffered a further defensive blow when Romain Saiss was forced off injured in the first half.
Weir has suggested that Morocco decided late on that having a West Ham player on the pitch wasn’t the best idea as they took on the World champions.
“Morocco deciding between the anthems and kick-off that playing a West Ham player in a semifinal is just a risk not worth taking,” said the Sky Sports journalist (14 December, via Twitter).
Tough one to take
Missing the game at the last minute would’ve been a huge blow to the 26-year-old defender, who was a key component of Morocco’s success in Qatar. Had he been fit against France, the outcome could well have been very different.
He now must focus on getting himself fit for West Ham’s Premier League return, with David Moyes desperate to get his team back firing on all cylinders. GFFN (13 December) had suggested the Moroccan had a hamstring issue and was a doubt for the game against the French.
The fact he was named in the starting eleven came as a big surprise and is potentially a sign that he is not far away from being fully fit. There are two weeks until the Irons restart their Premier League season, and after Kurt Zouma’s injury, it’s absolutely essential that Aguerd puts the injury behind him.
After England’s World Cup heartbreak, attention will now turn straight back to domestic affairs, as the Hammers look to avoid a relegation battle towards the end of the season.