Stuttgart Coach Hopes for El Khannouss's AFCON Success Despite Potential Long Absence

Sebastian Hoeneß, coach of German club Stuttgart, praised his player Bilal El Khannouss as the midfielder departs the team to join the Moroccan national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Hoeneß told the German club's official website: "Bilal gave us a wonderful farewell gift. We wish him all the best, even if it means his absence from us for a long time."

The Stuttgart coach added: "He has a tournament taking place on home soil with the Moroccan national team, which is always something special."

He concluded: "We hope he returns to us in good health after the end of his participation."