Watford: Othmane Maamma injured against Derby County!<\/p>\n
Maamma sidelined, Morocco holds its breath!<\/p>\n
Morocco \/ @x.com\/mauritaniefoot<\/p>\n
Watford clinched a crucial 2-0 victory over Derby County on Saturday in Matchday 33 of the Championship\u2014a vital result in the club’s pursuit of its season ambitions, but the triumph was overshadowed by worrying news about Moroccan starlet Othmane Maamma.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Voted best player of the U20 World Cup, the Moroccan prodigy was forced to leave the pitch as early as the 23rd minute after picking up a quadriceps injury. Having been instrumental in the opening goal and looking dangerous from the outset, his early exit set alarm bells ringing.<\/p>\n After the final whistle, Watford manager Edward Still didn\u2019t hide his frustration: \u201cOthmane started the match really well. Obviously, it’s frustrating to see him come off so early.\u201d<\/p>\n The Belgian coach also highlighted the physical challenges of this stage of the season: \u201cAs we approach the home stretch, with increased training intensity, the risk of minor injuries goes up.\u201d<\/p>\n He concluded: \u201cWe\u2019re trying to manage workloads carefully, without overdoing it. Now we need to precisely assess the severity of his injury.\u201d<\/p>\n The length of Maamma\u2019s absence will depend on upcoming medical tests. If it\u2019s just a minor strain, a few days\u2019 rest may be enough. However, a more serious tear could rule him out for several weeks\u2014possibly up to three months.<\/p>\n A lengthy spell on the sidelines could threaten his chances of being called up for Morocco in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\nEdward Still reacts<\/h2>\n