AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Mohamed Ouahbi confirms Morocco are without Nayef Aguerd for Lesotho clash

Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd will miss Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against Lesotho as he continues his rehabilitation programme in the country.

Atlas Lions coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed the 29-year-old centre-back would remain at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Sale rather than travel with the squad to South Africa.

“We have only one absence today, which is Aguerd, whom we preferred to continue his rehabilitation program. At one point, he did not travel with us. Apart from that, as of today, we have no other absences,” Ouahbi said during his pre-match press conference on Monday.

Aguerd continues rehabilitation

Aguerd’s absence follows recent surgery and forms part of a gradual return-to-fitness programme, according to Moroccan reports.

Ouahbi said the rest of his squad trained on Sunday and remains available for the second match of Morocco’s AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.

“Everyone trained yesterday, so everyone can be available. Of course, we still have a training session today, and we will see what comes out of it, but we have many options to choose from,” Ouahbi added.

Morocco began their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Gabon in Rabat, with Noussair Mazraoui and Soufiane Rahimi scoring the goals.

Hakimi and Saibari return

While Aguerd will not feature in Bloemfontein, captain Achraf Hakimi and Bayern Munich midfielder Ismael Saibari are available again after missing the opening qualifier through suspension.

Their return gives Ouahbi additional options as Morocco seek to maintain their winning start and strengthen their position in the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.

The Atlas Lions face Lesotho at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 13:00 GMT.