Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou revealed that a painkilling injection caused him to miss the game against Belgium at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, reported BBC Monday.
Despite having lined up for the national anthem before kick-off, Bono was replaced by Munir Mohamedi.
After the match, head coach Walid Regragui told reporters that Bono “didn’t feel well,” added the British news outlet.
Team doctor warned Bono that the effects of the painkiller would last anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes, so Bono decided to do his warm-up first and then take the injection shortly before kick-off.
Bono only took part in singing the anthem and then decided to sit out the match.
“I went to a clinic inside the stadium. I was feeling better and I saw the second half,” Bono said.
The Moroccan football team won the game against Belgium in the Qatar 2022 World Cup thanks to goals from Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal.
Morocco then moved to the knockout stage of the World Cup 2022 and proceeded to secure back-to-back wins over Canada, Spain, and Portugal in becoming the first Arab and African country to reach that stage of the competition.
The Moroccan squad lost 2-0 to France in the semifinals.
“But after the World Cup (we knew) it was a big tournament for us, and I think the team showed a very good image from Morocco,” added Bono.