Mohamed Ouahbi insists Morocco selection will be based on merit ahead of Lesotho clash

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi says players must earn their place in the national team, insisting those who deserve to represent the Atlas Lions will be given the opportunity.

Ouahbi made the comments on Monday at his pre-match press conference ahead of Morocco’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho.

“The players who deserve to be with us will be with us,” Ouahbi said. “Those who deserve it a little less will work harder to be with us.”

Ouahbi outlines selection approach

The Morocco coach’s comments underline the selection policy he outlined earlier this month when announcing his squad for the qualifiers.

Ouahbi said the technical staff would assess players based on their current level and readiness rather than their reputation or the league in which they play.

He has also previously rejected the idea that there is a preference for players based abroad, saying the coaching staff’s priority is to select the best available options for the national team.

Morocco target second straight win

Morocco will face Lesotho on Tuesday, September 29, at the Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 13:00 GMT and is part of Matchday 2 in Group A of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

The Atlas Lions opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Gabon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday.

That result put Morocco top of Group A with three points and a goal difference of +2, level on points with Niger.

Aguerd continues recovery programme

Morocco have already completed preparations in Bloemfontein, with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation saying the team trained at Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday.

The session focused on technical and tactical work, with all players who travelled to South Africa taking part.

Defender Nayef Aguerd did not make the trip and has remained at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamoura, where he is continuing his return-to-competition programme.

Victory over Lesotho would give Morocco six points from their opening two matches before the qualifiers resume during the November international window.