Mohamed Ouahbi has two matches against Niger in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers to test new ideas, with Morocco missing several established players but still expected to maintain its winning start.
Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi, Ayoub El Kaabi and Hamza Igamane are among those absent, reshaping Morocco’s attacking options. Ouahbi sees the situation as an opportunity rather than a setback.
“These absences give us the chance to play other players and try new profiles,” the coach said.
The fixtures on 13 and 17 November come at a useful time for experimentation. Morocco have six points from victories over Gabon and Lesotho, while the squad includes several young players with limited experience at senior international level.
One of the main questions concerns the role previously occupied by Ounahi. He started as the attacking midfielder in 10 of Ouahbi’s 13 official matches, linking the midfield pairing with the forwards in Morocco’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
Bilal El Khannouss is the most natural replacement. He already plays in that position for his club and can use his vision more effectively there than when deployed on the left. Against a Niger side expected to defend deep, his ability to operate between the lines and provide the final pass could be particularly valuable. Abdellah Ouazane may also be given an opportunity in the same role.
Should a direct replacement for Ounahi prove ineffective, Ouahbi could use the second game to switch to a 4-3-3. A midfield trio of Reda Belahyane, Neil El Aynaoui and Ayyoub Bouaddi would offer a different balance.
Belahyane could oversee the first phase of possession and protect the defence, El Aynaoui would provide energy and ground coverage, while Bouaddi would have greater licence to move forward. The system would reduce Morocco’s reliance on a single number 10 and give them another option against opponents who crowd the centre of the pitch.
Ayoub Oufkir’s inclusion would also be more meaningful if he starts rather than watches both matches from the bench. The 20-year-old AZ Alkmaar player offers a less common profile within the squad: a left-footed right winger who can cut inside, take on defenders and shoot.
With Niger likely to leave little room centrally, Oufkir could provide the individual skill needed to unsettle their defensive block. His presence would also allow Brahim Diaz to move inside at times instead of remaining permanently wide for Real Madrid.
Youssef En-Nesyri’s return gives Ouahbi an experienced focal point against a deep defence, although the coach must assess how quickly the Al-Ittihad forward can reconnect with the team after several months away.
There is also a need to look ahead. Yassir Zabiri has made an impressive start to the season with Racing Santander and deserves more than late substitute appearances. Starting both forwards at different points would allow Morocco to compare En-Nesyri’s aerial strength and experience with Zabiri’s movement, pressing and youthful freedom.
At left-back, Soufian El Karouani returns to the squad and could be used in an advanced role, with Abde Ezzalzouli given permission to move further inside. The combination would provide width against a compact Niger defence and offer an alternative to the approaches built around Noussair Mazraoui or Anass Salaheddine.
Morocco must win the two matches, but the double-header also gives Ouahbi room to change personnel without losing all structure. With major challenges ahead in the coming months, discovering different ways to win will matter almost as much as the results themselves.