Omar Marmoush took a big step toward World Cup qualification with Egypt on Tuesday. But the Manchester City striker paid dearly for it, possibly even with a spectator role in the derby.
With three matchdays remaining in the African World Cup qualifiers, the top teams in Group A, Burkina Faso and favorites Egypt, faced each other. A goalless draw kept the Pharaohs ahead of their pursuers, with the West Africans now five points behind. However, one of Egypt’s best-known players was not able to share in the joy: Omar Marmoush injured his right knee in the 4th minute of the game after a hard foul in his own half.
The ManCity striker initially tried to continue playing after receiving treatment, but then left the field early in the 9th minute.
An initial diagnosis was quickly provided by the Egyptian Football Association. Marmoush had suffered a “bruised knee ligament,” the EFA said in a press release. Further examinations took place on Wednesday morning after the team’s return from Burkina Faso to Cairo. These concluded that the striker will be out of action for the Skyblues for the time being.
“It appears that he will not be available for Sunday’s Manchester derby. He will now return to Manchester to undergo further tests and begin rehabilitation,” Cityzens wrote.
Marmoush started in two of the three league games so far and set up Erling Haaland’s goal in the 2-1 defeat at Brighton. Pep Guardiola is likely to call on Jeremy Doku as a replacement, who scored twice for Belgium in the World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan. Depending on how long Marmoush is out, the 23-year-old can look forward to three games against big-name opponents. The derby on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) will be followed by the Champions League home game against Napoli on Thursday (9 p.m.), before the away game at Arsenal concludes the busy week (5:30 p.m.).