Chelsea Winger Hakim Ziyech Gives Defiant Response To Being Left Out Of Morocco's AFCON Squad
Ziyech has not played for Morocco since July after falling out with head coach Vahid Halihodzic.
Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech insists he doesn’t care about being left out of Morocco’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ziyech, 28, is one of Morocco’s most high-profile players but was not called up for the tournament, which will be staged in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6.
The former Ajax winger has not featured for the national side since a friendly against Burkina Faso in July after being dropped by head coach Vahid Halihodzic.
Halihodzic has accused Ziyech of feigning injury to avoid playing in a friendly against Ghana in June.
When asked about his omission from Morocco’s latest squad, Ziyech issued a defiant response.
“I’m doing my job and trying to perform as best as I can,” he told beIN SPORTS.
“All the other stuff that’s going around outside of football it is not really important at the moment.
“At this point I don’t really care to be honest.”
Ziyech’s availability this winter comes as an unexpected boost to his club side Chelsea.
The winger produced a man-of-the-match performance on Wednesday night as the Blues beat rivals Tottenham 2-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku returned to the side for the first time since his controversial interview with Sky Sport Italia.
Lukaku released an apology to Chelsea fans on Tuesday after claiming he was “unhappy” with his role at Stamford Bridge, and Ziyech believes the matter is now resolved.
“He had his interview and I think it’s better to leave it that way,” added Ziyech.
“We as players and team-mates have to support him after what happened. He is part of us.
“We have to keep pushing him and support him. Let’s keep it behind us and focus on what’s coming.”
Morocco, meanwhile, begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Ghana on January 10.
The Atlas Lions will then face Comoros on January 14 before their final group game against Gabon on January 18.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Hakim Ziyech, Chelsea, Football, Africa Cup Of Nations
Rory O'Callaghan