Moroccan goalkeeper Yassin Bounou has disappeared after being named in the line-up for the Belgium clash and singing the national anthem… The BBC learned on 38 minutes that he had been replaced by Mounir Mohammedi due to an eye problem!
- Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bouno disappeared before kick-off
- Morocco beat Belgium 2-0 in their Group F encounter on Sunday afternoon
- Sevilla keeper Baunou was chosen to start and sing the national anthem.
- But he was substituted before kick-off as Munir Mohammadi replaced him
- BBC commentators left confused as they didn’t realize the change
World Cup confusion hung over Belgium’s clash with Morocco on Sunday as goalkeeper Yassine Bouno went missing moments before kick-off in Qatar.
The African nation were hoping for their first win of the World Cup with Bouno scoring after a 0-0 draw with Croatia last time out.
The 31-year-old LaLiga goalkeeper is first choice for Morocco and when he appeared on the pitch for the national anthem, he was nowhere to be seen at kick-off, with his substitute Mounir Mohammadi making a rare start between the sticks. ,
Bouno was named in the starting line-up and warmed-up with his teammates on the pitch but was mysteriously replaced in the line-up.
With reserve goalkeeper Mohammadi given only a few moments to prepare himself against Belgium, his sudden appearance caught the BBC commentators who had not realized the change before the proceedings got underway inside the Al Thumama Stadium.
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassin Bounou (centre) went missing before kick-off against Belgium
Bouno was replaced by Moroccan reserve shot-stopper Mounir Mohan (centre) for the clash
This sudden change was not picked up on by anyone in the BBC commentary team as it was done moments before kick-off, meaning that the fourth official did not use his board to show that the swap had taken place. Had happened.
Match commentator Guy Mowbray was left embarrassed after the debacle as he apologized on-air for the mistake before the teams broke for half-time.
The BBC veteran said: ‘One thing I should have noticed earlier, I apologize for, is the change in goal to Morocco at the start. Remember in the beginning when we saw the goalkeeper running? After looking at his number, it’s number 12, Al Kajoui, in goal. Mounir El Kazoui.
Bounou (second from left) was present for the pre-match Moroccan national anthem
Bauno reportedly claimed he had problems with his eyes minutes before kick-off
‘I can see his number now. Looks similar to bouno to me. We are trying to find out what happened to him.
‘Think he may have been ill just before the match and that’s why there was a slight delay while we waited for the Moroccan team photo and then to shake hands with Eden Hazard.’ He is keeping a clean sheet. Mine is ruined in every way.
They eventually realized they had named the wrong goalkeeper 38 minutes into the match, which saw Belgium shocked by Morocco in a 2–0 defeat.
A last-minute substitution was then made after it was revealed at half-time that Sevilla goalkeeper Bauno told head coach Walid Regargui he had an eye problem.
Bounou (blue) starred during Morocco’s first World Cup opening draw against Croatia
Munir (Blue) put in a commendable performance against Belgium after pushing on
An official statement from the Moroccan FA announced the team selection change, saying: ‘Yassin Bounou has been replaced by Mounir El Kajoui for this match against Belgium.’
Bassou’s disappearance is one of the strangest moments of the World Cup ever, going so far as to joke that the veteran goalkeeper was injured while singing the national anthem.
