Watford: Othmane Maamma injured against Derby County! | OneFootball

Maamma sidelined, Morocco holds its breath!

Morocco - Othmane maamma / @x.com/mauritaniefoot

Watford clinched a crucial 2-0 victory over Derby County on Saturday in Matchday 33 of the Championship—a vital result in the club's pursuit of its season ambitions, but the triumph was overshadowed by worrying news about Moroccan starlet Othmane Maamma.

Edward Still reacts

Voted best player of the U20 World Cup, the Moroccan prodigy was forced to leave the pitch as early as the 23rd minute after picking up a quadriceps injury. Having been instrumental in the opening goal and looking dangerous from the outset, his early exit set alarm bells ringing.

After the final whistle, Watford manager Edward Still didn’t hide his frustration: “Othmane started the match really well. Obviously, it's frustrating to see him come off so early.”

The Belgian coach also highlighted the physical challenges of this stage of the season: “As we approach the home stretch, with increased training intensity, the risk of minor injuries goes up.”

He concluded: “We’re trying to manage workloads carefully, without overdoing it. Now we need to precisely assess the severity of his injury.”

The length of Maamma’s absence will depend on upcoming medical tests. If it’s just a minor strain, a few days’ rest may be enough. However, a more serious tear could rule him out for several weeks—possibly up to three months.

A lengthy spell on the sidelines could threaten his chances of being called up for Morocco in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.