Wydad Casablanca faces DHJ with several key players unavailable

Wednesday 30 September 2026 - 11:20

Wydad Casablanca will approach its second Botola fixture with a significantly reshaped squad, as coach Paulo Sérgio prepares for a clash with DHJ without several players who would normally feature in his plans.

The Casablanca side is dealing with a combination of international commitments, injuries and an internal disciplinary decision, leaving the Portuguese coach with fewer options as he looks to adjust his starting lineup.

International duty reduces Wydad's options

Two players will be unavailable because of their involvement with their respective national teams during the international break.

Jordanian midfielder Nizar Al-Rashdan has been called up by Jordan, while Beninese player Junior Olugbade is also away on international duty. Their absence removes two options from Paulo Sérgio's squad at a time when the team is seeking greater stability at the beginning of the league campaign.

The coaching staff will therefore have to reorganize the midfield and attacking combinations available for the DHJ encounter.

Injuries add to the squad's difficulties

Wydad is also missing players because of physical problems. Walid Nassi is expected to remain sidelined for an extended period following shoulder surgery, ruling him out of the immediate plans for the team.

Goalkeeper Rachid Ghanimi is another absentee after sustaining an injury during a training session last week. His unavailability further limits the choices available to the technical staff ahead of the match.

The accumulated absences could force Paulo Sérgio to make several changes compared with the squad he initially intended to use at this stage of the season.

Ayman El Wafi absent after disciplinary measure

The situation surrounding Ayman El Wafi is different. The player has been kept away from collective training following a disciplinary decision by Wydad's management.

As a result, El Wafi is not expected to be considered for the meeting with DHJ. His absence adds another complication for a coaching staff already working with a reduced group.

Wydad looking for a response after opening defeat

The timing of these absences is particularly significant for Wydad, which is attempting to recover from a difficult start to its Botola campaign.

The Casablanca club lost 3-1 to Wydad Témara in its opening league match, leaving Paulo Sérgio with the task of quickly addressing the team's shortcomings while simultaneously adapting his squad to the available personnel.

The DHJ fixture will therefore provide an early test of Wydad's ability to respond to adversity. With several established or potentially useful options unavailable, the coaching staff may have to rely on alternative combinations as the club seeks its first positive result of the campaign.