Morroco’s number 1 goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was named in the starting eleven and even took part in singing his nation’s anthem during the Qatar 2022 second group game against Belgium.
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However, there was confusion when he did not take his place in goal for the start of the match.
Bounou’s absence was not noticed by BBC commentators who kept referring to his replacement Munir El Kajoui as him.
BBC’s Match commentator Guy Mowbray issued an on-air apology for the mistake before the teams broke for half-time.
Mowbray said:
‘One thing I should have noticed earlier on, I apologise for, is a change in goal for Morocco at the start. Remember at the start when we saw the goalkeeper running on? Having seen his number, it’s number 12, El Kajoui, in goal. Munir El Kajoui.
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‘I can see his number now. Looks similar to Bounou to me. We’re trying to find out what happened to him.
‘Think he might have been taken ill just before the match and that’s why there was that little delay when we were waiting for the Morocco team photo and then the shaking hands with Eden Hazard. He’s keeping a clean sheet. Mine is ruined in every sense.’
What Happened To Yassine Bounou?
Bounou was substituted after alerting Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui that he had an issue with his eyes.
An official statement by the Morocco FA announced the squad selection change saying:
Munir El Kajoui replaces Yassine Bounou for this match against Belgium.
Bounou’s ‘disappearance’ is one of the strangest moments of the World Cup.
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