CAN 2027: Ouahbi names 26 Atlas Lions for Niger clash
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi has named a 26-man squad for Morocco's two matches against Niger, with Youssef En-Nesyri and Reda Belahyane recalled and Ayoub Oufkir earning his first call-up.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi unveiled, on Wednesday, a 26-man squad for the Atlas Lions' two matches against Niger, covering matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, at a press conference held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, according to Al3omk.
Morocco sits top of its group after winning its first two matches, against Gabon and Lesotho, according to Le Matin. The two Niger fixtures are scheduled as follows:
| Matchday | Date | Kick-off | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matchday 3 | 13 November 2026 | 8:00 PM | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca |
| Matchday 4 | 17 November 2026 | 8:00 PM | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat |
The list marks the return of striker Youssef En-Nesyri, who had been absent from recent call-ups, along with Reda Belahyane, while Ayoub Oufkir, who plays for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, earns his first-ever call-up to the senior squad, according to Al Moharir.
Several regulars are missing through injury, including Ayoub El Kaabi (fracture), Azzedine Ounahi (thigh) and Ismael Saibari (ankle), along with Soufiane Rahimi and Chadi Riad, while Marwane Saâdane, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Samir El Mourabet and Soufiane El-Faouzi were left out.
The goalkeepers called up are Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti and Alaa Bellaarouch. The defence features Noussair Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine, Souffian El Karouani, Nayef Aguerd, Redouane Halhal, Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Ali Maamar and Achraf Hakimi, in fine form with Paris Saint-Germain. In midfield, Ouahbi called up Reda Belahyane, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Oussama Targhalline, Bilal El Khannouss, Amine Sbai and Abdellah Ouazane. Up front are Brahim Diaz, Yassine Gessime, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ayoub Oufkir, Yassir Zabiri and Youssef En-Nesyri.
According to MAP, Ouahbi said results remain the top priority, while gradually widening the player pool to give young talents more game time. He also sought to reassure, according to Alyaoum24, over Brahim Diaz's limited playing time at Real Madrid, stressing that player evaluation does not rely solely on club minutes but also on team cohesion and technical and tactical criteria.
The two matches are shaping up as decisive for the Atlas Lions, who are aiming for early qualification to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals after a strong start built on two consecutive wins.