Niger take locally dominated squad to Morocco for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON qualifying double-header
Niger will face Morocco twice on Moroccan soil with a largely home-based squad, as coach Nabil Neghiz prepares his side for a demanding TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying double-header.
The Mena are unable to stage their home fixture in Niger because of the absence of an approved stadium, meaning both Matchday 3 and Matchday 4 encounters will take place in Morocco.
The first match is scheduled for 13 November at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca, before the sides meet again on 17 November at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Neghiz has selected 25 players, with nine based in Niger, while only one member of the squad currently plays in one of Europe’s traditional Big Five leagues.
That player is Rahim Alhassane of Bologna, who is expected to be an important figure on the left side of Niger’s defence.
The squad also contains six players based elsewhere in Europe, six in Asian leagues and four playing in other African championships.
One of those African-based players is central defender Mohamed Abdouramane, who plays his club football in Morocco with RCA Zemamra and will therefore be familiar with the conditions facing the Mena.
Russia-based defender Oumar Sako, midfielder Ali Mohamed, striker Daniel Sosah and experienced winger Tidjani Amadou Moutari are also included.
Niger enter the November window third in Group A, level on three points with second-placed Gabon but behind them on goal difference.
Neghiz began his tenure with a 2-1 victory over Lesotho before Niger were beaten 2-0 by Gabon in their second qualifier.
Morocco, meanwhile, have taken maximum points from their opening two matches and lead the group with six points after successive 2-0 victories over Gabon and Lesotho.
The contrasting starts mean Niger face a major test against the section leaders, particularly with both fixtures being staged away from home.
Neghiz’s selection nevertheless retains a strong domestic core, with players from AS FAN, USGN, ASN Nigelec and AS Douanes forming a significant part of the group.
The coach will also look to the experience of his overseas contingent as Niger attempt to take points from an Atlas Lions side that has yet to concede in the qualifying campaign.
The double-header could prove decisive for the Mena’s hopes of remaining firmly involved in the battle for qualification before the campaign enters its final two rounds.
Niger squad for Morocco
Goalkeepers:
Mahamadou Tanja Djibrilla Kassali (Simba SC, Tanzania)
Issiaka Boukari Kanta (ASN Nigelec, Niger)
Abdoulaye Mainassara Boubacar (AS FAN, Niger)
Defenders:
Oumar Sako (FC Rostov, Russia)
Ibrahim Mahamane Sani (Spartanii Sportul, Moldova)
Yacouba Diori (Al-Ahed, Lebanon)
Mohamed Abdouramane (RCA Zemamra, Morocco)
Aboubacar Camara (KS Bylis, Albania)
Adamou Gora (USGN, Niger)
Rahim Alhassane (Bologna, Italy)
Pape M’Baye (AS FAN, Niger)
Jalil Mamane (AS Douanes, Niger)
Midfielders:
Youssouf Oumarou (Stade Tunisien, Tunisia)
Ousseini Badamassi (Al-Ahed, Lebanon)
Hassane Harouna Moussa (AS FAN, Niger)
Boubacar Abdoul Madjid Moumouni (Al-Shorta, Iraq)
Mamane Sabo (Železničar Pančevo, Serbia)
Ali Mohamed (Maccabi Haifa, Israel)
Forwards:
Kairou Amoustapha (Etzella Ettelbruck, Luxembourg)
Boubacar Soumana Hainikoye (USGN, Niger)
Abdoul-Latif Djibril Goumey (Saint-Éloi Lupopo, DR Congo)
Tidjani Amadou Moutari (East Riffa, Bahrain)
Daniel Sosah (Aktobe, Kazakhstan)
Ismaël Abdoul Aziz (ASN Nigelec, Niger)
Abdoul Kader Yacouba (AS Police, Niger)