Morocco recall En-Nesyri as Oufkir earns surprise call-up for Niger ties

Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi has recalled Youssef En-Nesyri and handed a first call-up to 20-year-old Ayoub Oufkir for November’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Niger.

Ouahbi named a 26-man squad on Wednesday for the two matches, which will be played on 13 and 17 November. The manager has had to contend with several significant injuries, while also using the international break to bring his squad closer to the group he expects to take to the continental tournament.

En-Nesyri’s return is the headline decision. The Al-Ittihad striker had not been permanently left out of Ouahbi’s plans, and the manager believes his qualities could provide Morocco with a different option against Niger.

“He deserves it, and the timing is right,” Ouahbi said. He added that other characteristics had been prioritised at the World Cup.

Oufkir is the most unexpected inclusion. The winger, born in the Netherlands, has been performing well for AZ Alkmaar and joins an attack that has been significantly rejuvenated. Ouahbi intends to introduce him gradually to the international environment, alongside Abdellah Ouazzane.

The manager considers both players prospects to develop ahead of the next Africa Cup of Nations. Their selections underline Morocco’s desire to use the squad for both immediate qualification objectives and the integration of younger players.

Souffian El Karouani has been rewarded for his performances with Benfica by returning to the national team. Reda Belahyane, who is now featuring more regularly for Lazio, is also back, as is Amine Sbai, the Angers winger who was part of the World Cup squad.

Those recalls give Ouahbi greater depth and more options for rotation at a time when several established players are unavailable.

Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi, Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane El-Faouzi are all absent 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 has made clear that qualification remains the priority, but believes the Niger fixtures can also be used 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.