Morocco star Hakim Ziyech left out of Wydad AC squad for Agadir pre-season camp

Morocco international Hakim Ziyech has been left out of Wydad Athletic Club’s squad for their pre-season training camp in Agadir as the club intensifies preparations for the new season.

Wydad travelled to Agadir on Monday from Mohammed V Airport, with the camp scheduled to run until September 12.

Ziyech was part of the team’s initial preparations in Casablanca but has not been included in the 28-man squad selected for the second phase of the club’s pre-season programme.

His absence is among several notable omissions from the group travelling to Agadir. El Ouasti, El Ghafouri, Mounsef, Bouchouari, Akzdaou and Rihani are also missing after featuring during the initial preparations.

A number of other players, including Ghilan, Toumissong, Pedrinho, El Dirani and Paniagua, did not take part in the first-team training sessions in Casablanca and have also been excluded from the Agadir camp.

The travelling squad includes experienced figures such as Yahya Jabrane, Yahya Attiat-Allah, Ayman El Hassouni and Ramiro Vaca, alongside several younger players.

Wydad will use the Agadir camp to continue building the squad and assess the players ahead of the new campaign. The programme includes three friendly matches, beginning with a meeting against Hassania Agadir on September 5.

Two further friendlies will be played during the camp as the technical staff work on the team’s tactical organisation and match fitness.

Ziyech’s exclusion is likely to generate significant attention given his status as one of Morocco’s most recognisable footballers and his involvement in the club’s earlier preparations.

For now, Wydad’s focus remains on completing their pre-season programme and finalising their squad ahead of the start of the new season.