Morocco have recalled Youssef En-Nesyri and included 20-year-old Ayoub Oufkir in a 26-man squad for November’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Niger.
Manager Mohamed Ouahbi announced his selection on Wednesday for the two matches, which will be played on 13 and 17 November. Several injuries have influenced his choices, but Ouahbi also wants the camp to bring Morocco’s current squad closer to the group he intends to take to the continental competition.
En-Nesyri’s return is the most notable change. The Al-Ittihad striker had not been permanently discarded, according to Ouahbi, who believes his style could offer Morocco a different option against Niger.
“He deserves it; the timing is right,” Ouahbi said, while explaining that other attacking qualities had been preferred during the World Cup.
Oufkir is the surprise inclusion. The winger, born in the Netherlands, has been in good form for AZ Alkmaar and joins an attack that has been significantly refreshed. Ouahbi plans to introduce both Oufkir and Abdellah Ouazzane gradually to the international environment, viewing the pair as players to develop ahead of the next Africa Cup of Nations.
Souffian El Karouani has also been recalled after producing strong performances for Benfica. Reda Belahyane returns after becoming a more regular presence for Lazio, while Amine Sbai is back in the squad following his World Cup involvement with Angers.
Those selections give Ouahbi greater depth and more rotation options at a time when several regular starters are unavailable.
Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi, Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane El-Faouzi are all missing through injury. Marouane Saadane, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Samir El Mourabet and Tawfik Bentayeb have also been left out, apparently as a result of selection decisions.
Ouahbi accepts that the squad represents a balance between immediate results and longer-term planning. Qualification remains the priority, but he also wants to test new combinations and give playing time to players with significant potential.
Morocco squad
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 Ait Boudlal, Achraf Hakimi, Ali Maamar.
Midfielders: Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Oussama Targhalline, Bilal El Khannouss, Reda Belahyane, Amine Sbai, Abdellah Ouazzane.
Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Gessime Yassine, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ayoub Oufkir, Yassir Zabiri, Youssef En-Nesyri.