Boufal ruled out of AFCON tournament

London - Southampton midfielder Sofiane Boufal has been ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations through injury, the Morocco Football Federation have confirmed.

The 23-year-old is the fourth player to withdraw from the Atlas Lions' squad, adding to their woes ahead of the tournament.

Fellow play-maker Younes Belhanda was ruled out in December after breaking a toe and Nordin Amrabat injured an ankle, while Oussama Tannane sustained a thigh muscle problem training with the squad in Abu Dhabi last week.

A statement from the MFF read: "Sofiane Boufal has left the camp after examination of his injury showed he would not be capable of playing at the Nations Cup.

"He will be replaced by another player whose name will be announced later."

Boufal is Southampton's record signing and only left for the tournament following the defeat to Everton last week, after playing just 23 minutes.

Morocco, who will face the Ivory Coast, DR Congo and Togo in the group stage of the competition, play Finland in a friendly on Tuesday.

The Atlas Lions kick off their AFCON campaign against Togo at the Stade d'Oyem on January 20.

Kick off is at 21:00.