Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou DISAPPEARS after being named in line-up and singing the national anthem… as the BBC take 38 MINUTES to notice he had been replaced by Munir Mohamedi due to an eye issue!
- Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou appearwed to go mixing before kick-off
- Morocco take on Belgium in Qatar on Sunday afternoon’s group f encounter
- Sevilla keeper Bounou had been picked to start and sung the national anthem
- But was replaced second before kick-off as Munir Mohamedi replaced him
- BBC commentators were swept up in confusion as they didn’t realise the change
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World Cup confusion was rife between Belgium’s clash with Morocco on Sunday as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou disappeared just moments before kick-off in Qatar.
The African nation were hoping to wrap up their first win of the World Cup with Bounou between the sticks having played out a 0-0 draw with Croatia last time out. The 31-year-old La Liga keeper is first-choice for Morocco with his replacement Munir Mohamedi making a rare start between the sticks
The shot-stopper caused immediate concern after being named in the starting line-up, warming up with his teammates on pitch, and even taking part in the Morocco national anthem before being replaced in the line-up.
Reserve goalkeeper Mohamedi was given just moments to prepare himself against Belgium, with his sudden appearance catching out BBC commentators who hadn’t realised the change prior to proceedings getting underway inside the Al Thumama stadium.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (centre) disappeared before kick-off against Belgium
Bounou was replaced by Moroccan reserve shot-stopper Munir Mohand for the clash
No one in the BBC’s commentary team had picked up on the sudden change due to it being moments before kick-off, meaning that the fourth official didn’t use his board to show there had been a swap.
They eventually realised they had been naming the wrong goalkeeper 38 minutes into the match as Belgium and Morocco played out a goalless first-half.
It was then revealed at half-time that the last-minute change had been made after Sevilla goalkeeper Bounou made it aware to head coach Walid Regragui that he had an issue with his eyes.
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