A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco recently, causing deaths of over 600 people and leaving devastating results
The future of Morocco’s football game Saturday night as part of African Cup of Nations qualifying remained dubious following an earthquake that killed more than 800 people in the country.
Morocco was set to meet Liberia at Agadir’s Adrar Stadium.
Late Friday night, an earthquake struck. It has killed hundreds of people and destroyed buildings ranging from communities in the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech’s historic center. Rescuers struggled to reach the remote mountain towns severely impacted by boulder-strewn roads.
Achraf Hakimi has expressed his sympathy.
“We are living a difficult moment for our fellow citizens. It is time to help each other to save as many lives as possible. My condolences to all who lost a loved one,” Hakimi wrote on Instagram.
The Confederation of African Football did not immediately react to an e-mail inquiry about the game’s status.
Agadir is around 170 kilometers (105 miles) southwest of the epicenter of Friday’s earthquake, which was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province.
The magnitude 6.8 quake was the most powerful to strike Morocco in 120 years.
After a pre-match press conference with coach Walid Regragui and captain Romain Sass on Friday morning, the team arrived in Agadir and practiced at Adrar Stadium in the afternoon.
Last year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar saw the Atlas Lions make history by being the first African side to reach the semi-finals, where they were defeated by France.
Morocco has already qualified for the 24-team competition, which kicks off in Ivory Coast in January. On Tuesday, the team was also set to play a friendly match against Burkina Faso in France.
