Morocco's squad vs Niger: Oufkir earns first call-up
Mohamed Ouahbi has unveiled Morocco's squad for the two games against Niger in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with a first call-up for Ayoub Oufkir and the return of En-Nesyri and Belahyane.
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi unveiled, on Wednesday, the Atlas Lions squad called up to face Niger in the 3rd and 4th rounds of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The list includes a first call-up for Ayoub Oufkir, as well as the return of Youssef En-Nesyri and Reda Belahyane, according to Hespress.
Ouahbi announced the squad at a press conference held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamora, ahead of a training camp set to begin on November 9. Several notable names are missing through injury, chief among them Ismail Saibari, Ayoub El Kaabi and Sofiane Rahimi.
Why is En-Nesyri back now?
In remarks carried by Alyaoum24, Ouahbi explained that En-Nesyri's recall "did not come suddenly": the forward had been part of the initial plans since preparations began, and the coaching staff had followed every one of his matches for Saudi club Al-Ittihad, in both league and cup, judging his qualities especially useful against Niger.
Continued trust in Brahim Diaz despite limited playing time
On Brahim Diaz's limited playing time at Real Madrid, Ouahbi said it does not worry him, voicing full confidence in the player's abilities. He added that selection criteria are not limited to minutes played at club level, but also include technical and tactical factors and a player's fit with the group, revealing that the coaching staff is still looking for solutions on the left flank and at the playmaker position.
The full squad for both matches against Niger
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir Mohamedi, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Alaa Bellaarouch.
Defenders: Nayef Aguerd, Noussair Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine, Souffian El Karouani, Redouane Halhal, Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Achraf Hakimi, Ali Maamar.
Midfielders: Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Oussama Targhalline, Bilal El Khannouss, Reda Belahyane, Abdellah Ouazane, Amine Sbai.
Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Yassine Gessime, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Youssef En-Nesyri, Yassir Zabiri, Ayoub Oufkir.
Top of its qualifying group after wins over Gabon and Lesotho, Morocco will open this double-header against Niger on November 13 at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca, before a second match on the 17th of the same month at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.