Morocco’s squad depth gives Mohamed Ouahbi a selection dilemma after Niger win

Morocco underlined the strength of their squad by beating Niger 5-1 in the third round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, despite being without six important players.

Azzedine Ounahi, Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi, Ayoub El Kaabi and Chadi Riad were all unavailable for Friday’s match at the Mohammed V complex in Casablanca. Their absence did little to disrupt the Atlas Lions, with several substitutes making a decisive impact after coming off the bench.

The performances will give Mohamed Ouahbi plenty to consider ahead of Tuesday’s return match, while also creating a longer-term challenge when the missing players are available again.

En-Nesyri makes immediate impact

Youssef En-Nesyri was the first substitute to make his mark. Introduced in the 69th minute for Yassir Zabiri, the Al-Ittihad striker made an instant impression on his return to international football.

He initially had a header ruled out for offside, but soon found the net by reacting quickest in the area to finish a superb Achraf Hakimi delivery. Hakimi’s involvement further strengthened his position as a leading contender for the 2026 African Ballon d’Or.

En-Nesyri remained prominent after scoring and nearly provided a second assist when one of his crosses created an opportunity for Ayoub Oufkir.

Oufkir, making his first appearance for the Atlas Lions, was the standout revelation of the evening. The 20-year-old AZ Alkmaar winger played with considerable ambition and repeatedly caused problems for the Niger defence.

He attempted five shots, all of them on target, but was initially denied by the goalkeeper and defenders. He eventually scored at the far post, converting a precise cross from Abdellah Ouazane.

Introduced in the 84th minute, the Ajax Amsterdam prospect still managed to leave a strong impression despite his limited time on the pitch.

Belahyane adds energy

The impact of the substitutes was not restricted to Morocco’s attacking players. Reda Belahyane returned to the national team after a two-year absence and brought intensity to the midfield.

The Lazio midfielder was aggressive when winning possession, offered himself constantly to his team-mates and made several forward runs. His contribution helped give Morocco’s midfield renewed momentum during his approximately 15 minutes on the pitch.

Belahyane completed 13 of his 16 passes and began the move that led to En-Nesyri’s goal, releasing Hakimi with the penultimate pass.

Morocco’s depth is clearly an asset for Ouahbi, but it also leaves the manager with difficult decisions. He must manage his players’ minutes in Tuesday’s return fixture and will inevitably have to disappoint some members of his squad in future selections once the injured players return.