Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi, both key players for the Atlas Lions, have been in exceptional form, each netting a brace for their respective clubs this past weekend.
Their performances come at a crucial time, as the pair vie for a prominent place in Morocco’s forward line.
But a fresh challenge has emerged in the form of 22-year-old Hamza Igamane, who has been steadily making his presence known in Scotland with Rangers.
Having scored 13 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions, Igamane is quickly establishing himself as a viable alternative to the more experienced En-Nesyri and El Kaabi.
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, has openly acknowledged Igamane’s progress, recently stating, “Igamane is progressing. We are following him closely. At the right time, he will be called up to the first team.”
The battle for the starting striker role in Morocco’s squad is intensifying, and with each passing week, the race for selection becomes more ruthless.
En-Nesyri, currently playing for Fenerbahçe, produced a standout performance in his club’s 3-1 victory over Kasimpasa, scoring a brace.
The 26-year-old’s impressive tally of 15 goals and 4 assists from 22 appearances has earned him second place in the Süper Lig’s scoring rankings.
En-Nesyri’s recent form has not only kept Fenerbahçe in contention for the Turkish league title, but he is also one of Europe’s top scorers in 2025, with 14 goals since January—just one behind Ousmane Dembélé, who has 15.
Meanwhile, Ayoub El Kaabi, the prolific striker for Olympiakos, has been equally impactful in Greece.
He scored two goals in the first half of a 4-0 victory over Panserraikos, further solidifying his dominance in the Superleague Greece’s top scorer rankings.
With 15 goals and 3 assists from 23 matches, El Kaabi is firmly entrenched as one of the league’s leading figures, helping Olympiakos maintain their position at the top of the standings.
Despite the impressive form of En-Nesyri and El Kaabi, Igamane’s rise has not gone unnoticed.
The Rangers forward’s recent performances have made him an intriguing prospect for Regragui as he looks to add fresh competition to the squad.
Igamane’s dynamic playing style and ability to find the back of the net have earned him widespread attention, raising the question of whether he could disrupt the established hierarchy.
As the battle for the number 9 spot intensifies, Morocco’s coach will have a difficult decision to make.
With En-Nesyri and El Kaabi in excellent form and Igamane knocking on the door for a call-up, the upcoming weeks are set to be pivotal in determining the composition of the national team’s attack.
The competition promises to be fierce, and each striker will be eager to prove their worth ahead of the next international fixtures.
Youssef En-Nesyri : doublé.
Ayoub El-Kaâbi : doublé.Quelle saison des deux serials buteurs marocains ! 🇲🇦🔥 pic.twitter.com/9hZC5FyHkY
— 🏆 Actu Foot Afrique (@ActuFootAfrique) February 16, 2025
