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Morocco recall En-Nesyri and hand Oufkir first call-up for Niger TotalEnergies CAF AFCON qualifiers

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Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has named a 26-man squad for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying double-header against Niger, with Youssef En-Nesyri returning and Ayoub Oufkir earning his first senior call-up.

The Atlas Lions face Niger on 13 and 17 November as they look to maintain their perfect start to Group A, having collected six points from victories over Gabon and Lesotho while scoring four goals and conceding none.

Ouahbi has opted for a mix of continuity and renewal, retaining several established players while introducing new options, particularly in attack.

The biggest new face is AZ Alkmaar winger Ayoub Oufkir, whose first senior selection gives Morocco another wide attacking option alongside Brahim Diaz, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Yassir Zabiri and Yassine Gessime.

The return of En-Nesyri also strengthens the forward line, with his international experience, aerial ability and movement behind defences giving Ouahbi a different profile up front.

However, Morocco will be without several notable names.

Ismaël Saibari, Azzedine Ounahi, Ayoub El Kaabi, Soufiane Rahimi, Chadi Riad and Hamza Igamane have not been included, while Amine Harit, Amine Adli and Sofyan Amrabat are also absent from the latest squad.

Chemsdine Talbi and Zakaria El Ouahdi are similarly not part of the group.

Despite those absences, Morocco retain a strong core.

In goal, Yassine Bounou leads a group of four goalkeepers, while the defence includes experienced figures such as Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd.

Ouahbi has also selected Issa Diop, Redouane Halhal, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Ali Maamar, Anass Salah-Eddine and Souffian El Karouani, giving him several options across the back line.

 

The midfield combines youth, energy and creativity through Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss, Oussama Targhalline, Reda Belahyane, Amine Sbaï and Abdellah Ouazane.

The two matches against Niger will give Ouahbi another opportunity to assess his developing squad while trying to keep Morocco firmly in control of the group.

With qualification already beginning to take shape, the November window will also allow the coach to continue building depth ahead of the later stages of the campaign and the 2027 finals.

Morocco squad for Niger

Goalkeepers:
Yassine Bounou
Munir El Kajoui
Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti
Alaa Bellaarouch

Defenders:
Noussair Mazraoui
Anass Salah-Eddine
Souffian El Karouani
Nayef Aguerd
Redouane Halhal
Issa Diop
Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal
Achraf Hakimi
Ali Maamar

Midfielders:
Ayyoub Bouaddi
Neil El Aynaoui
Oussama Targhalline
Bilal El Khannouss
Reda Belahyane
Amine Sbaï
Abdellah Ouazane

Forwards:
Brahim Diaz
Yassine Gessime
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
Ayoub Oufkir
Yassir Zabiri
Youssef En-Nesyri