Morocco lose Neil El Aynaoui to injury before Niger double-header

Morocco have suffered another setback before their two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Niger, with Neil El Aynaoui ruled out because of a calf-muscle injury.

The RB Leipzig midfielder has returned early from the Morocco camp after sustaining what the German club described as a minor injury. Leipzig confirmed the decision in an official statement on Thursday but did not specify how long the 25-year-old is expected to be unavailable.

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has called up Strasbourg midfielder Samir El Mourabet to replace El Aynaoui for the two fixtures.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation said El Aynaoui had arrived at the training camp with some discomfort. Following an assessment of his condition, the medical staff determined that he would not be able to play in either match at the required level of fitness.

El Aynaoui is the latest addition to an increasingly lengthy list of absentees for the Atlas Lions. Morocco will also be without Ismail Saibari, the Bayern Munich winger, and Panathinaikos player Azzedine Ounahi.

El Aynaoui has featured in eight of Leipzig’s nine Bundesliga matches this season, providing one assist. He has also played in all four of the club’s UEFA Champions League matches.

Morocco face Niger at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Friday before the teams meet again in Rabat on Tuesday. Both games are in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

The Atlas Lions lead the group with six points. Gabon and Niger have three points each, while Lesotho are bottom without a point.