Morocco consider recalls for Belahyane and En-Nesyri ahead of Niger double-header

Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi is expected to recall Reda Belahyane and Youssef En-Nesyri for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Niger.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has announced that Ouahbi will name his squad on 4 November at noon French time (11:00 in Morocco). Belahyane and En-Nesyri are both reportedly in contention after strong starts to the season.

Morocco are due to face Niger on 13 November at the Complexe Mohammed V in Casablanca before meeting them again on 17 November at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The fixtures are the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Belahyane, 22, has won one cap, which came in October 2024. He has impressed since being moved into a deeper midfield role by Lazio manager Gennaro Gattuso.

Operating as a regista, the young midfielder has become a regular for the Serie A co-leaders, starting seven of his nine appearances in all competitions. He has featured in each of Lazio’s past seven matches.

En-Nesyri, 29, has 92 Morocco caps and has scored 25 international goals. He has also made an impressive beginning to the campaign with Al-Ittihad, scoring seven goals and providing one assist in his past 10 appearances.

His latest goal came from a free-kick in Monday’s Asian Champions League match, although Al-Ittihad were beaten 2-1 by Neftchi.

Neither player has been selected by Ouahbi since he became Morocco manager in March. En-Nesyri was part of the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil under former manager Walid Regragui, but was used as a substitute and did not score.

Belahyane has not been called up for two years. His most recent involvement with Morocco came in November 2024, when he remained an unused substitute against both Gabon and Lesotho.

According to reports, the defensive midfielder is included in Ouahbi’s extended squad. En-Nesyri is also believed to have impressed the manager because he offers a traditional penalty-box presence, unlike Ismael Saibari, who has been used as a false nine.

The former Sevilla striker could become a particularly important option because of the uncertainty surrounding Soufiane Rahimi’s injury, Kooora reports.

Morocco began their qualifying campaign with victories over Gabon, winning 2-0, and Lesotho, whom they defeated 2-0, at the end of September. The Lions of the Atlas sit alone at the top of Group A, three points clear of their nearest challengers.

Two further wins against Niger would strengthen Morocco’s position as they pursue qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.