Hamza Igamane’s quest to establish himself as Morocco’s leading striker took a difficult turn on Thursday night, as he was left on the bench for most of Rangers’ 3-1 victory over Fenerbahçe in the Europa League.
The much-anticipated battle between Igamane and Youssef En-Nesyri, seen as a potential showdown for the Atlas Lions’ No. 9 position, failed to materialize as Igamane was relegated to a substitute role.
Missed opportunity for Igamane
With Morocco manager Walid Regragui closely monitoring options for the national team’s attack, the two-legged tie between Rangers and Fenerbahçe was expected to provide a platform for both strikers to impress.
However, Igamane’s recent dip in form saw him dropped from the starting lineup for the first time in nine matches.
The 21-year-old, who has been a key figure for Rangers this season with 13 goals and three assists in 34 appearances, was only introduced in the 88th minute—too late to make any impact on the game.
For Igamane, this setback comes at a crucial time, with the fight for Morocco’s No. 9 spot growing increasingly competitive.
His exclusion from the starting lineup will raise questions about his current standing at Rangers, particularly as his teammate and direct competitor, Cyriel Dessers, delivered a standout performance.
En-Nesyri struggles despite Fenerbahçe’s victory
On the other side, Youssef En-Nesyri, who has been in excellent form for Fenerbahçe, also endured a frustrating evening.
The 26-year-old, who has been breaking records in 2025, was largely ineffective in front of goal, managing just 19 touches and a single shot on target.
While his club secured the win, the Moroccan striker failed to make a significant impact, leaving the door open for further competition in the national team setup.
Growing competition for Morocco’s No. 9 spot
The biggest concern for Igamane is the resurgence of Dessers, who capitalized on his opportunity against Fenerbahçe.
The Nigerian international not only scored but also provided an assist, further cementing his claim for a regular starting role at Rangers.
Hamza Igamane no está pasando por su mejor momento en el Rangers…🇲🇦
Lleva 10 partidos consecutivos sin ver portería ❌⚽️
Los bajones son normales en el fútbol y seguro que volverá a su mejor nivel, ya que tiene un gran potencial🤲🏽 pic.twitter.com/WvYLNK58CC
— Futbol Marroqui 212 (@FutbolMarroqui) March 1, 2025
He even found the back of the net twice more, only for both goals to be ruled out for offside.
With Dessers making a strong case for a starting role, Igamane now faces an uphill battle to reclaim his spot at Rangers, a situation that could directly impact his chances with the Moroccan national team.
The return leg presents an opportunity for him to make a statement, but he will need to deliver a convincing performance to reassert himself both at club level and in the race for a place in Regragui’s squad.
6’ — scores the opener ⚽
42’ — assists the second 🅰️Cyriel Dessers delivering on a big European night for Ranges ✨ #UEL pic.twitter.com/6gZOzgY1z0
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) March 6, 2025
As the competition for Morocco’s No. 9 shirt intensifies, Igamane will have to fight harder than ever to prove he belongs in the national team setup.
