Injury forces Morocco to change squad for 2013 AFCON

Morocco midfielder Mehdi Namli has been ruled out of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa after injuring his knee during a warm-up match here.

Officials said Namli would be replaced by Abdelilah Hafidi, who was dropped last week when the 24-man provisional squad had to be reduced by one player for the January 19-February 10 tournament.

The Atlas Lions face Angola at Soccer City stadium in Soweto Saturday in the second half of a Group A double-header, which kicks off with South Africa against debutants Cape Verde Islands.