Ayoub Oufkir: Mohamed Ouahbi explains AZ striker’s Morocco call-up

Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi says Ayoub Oufkir’s first international call-up was based on merit, rather than an attempt to influence the 20-year-old’s decision over his international future.

The AZ forward made his debut for the Lions of the Atlas on Friday, coming off the bench against Niger and scoring in a 5-1 victory.

Oufkir completed the scoring with a close-range finish after being set up by Abdellah Ouazane, the young Ajax prodigy.

Asked about Oufkir after the match, Ouahbi said he had been monitoring the striker for several years.

“He is a player I have been following for a very long time, in fact since my time with the Under-20s,” said Ouahbi. “I already wanted him in the team at that time. We have never lost sight of him.”

The Morocco manager was impressed by Oufkir’s contribution after his introduction.

“He is a good player, as you were able to see today,” Ouahbi added. “He brings depth to the squad. He is very energetic, dynamic and technically gifted.”

Oufkir had been part of the Netherlands Under-21 squad during the previous international break before switching his international involvement to Morocco.

Ouahbi stressed that the striker’s presence in the Morocco squad was not connected to his dual nationality or an effort to pressure him into choosing the country.

“Today, he proved that he is with us because he deserves it,” said Ouahbi. “We did not call him up to force him to choose Morocco. He deserves his selection based on his current form and his profile.”