In line with the customary practice, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially disclosed on Wednesday the expansive 55-player roster meticulously curated by Morocco’s Head Coach, Walid Regragui, in preparation for the much-anticipated AFCON 2023.
Among the notable inclusions in this extensive lineup are Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, Sofiane Boufal representing Al-Rayyan, and Sofiane Diop of Nice.
Although all three possess exceptional talent, their current convalescent states due to injuries cast a shadow on their definitive participation.
While there is optimism surrounding the recovery of Mazraoui and Boufal, the prospects for Diop’s return to action appear relatively more intricate.
Abderrazak Hamdallah, the seasoned center-forward plying his trade with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, is a part of the list, yet speculations abound regarding his potential inclusion in the final roster, given his absence from recent team assemblies, his mature age (33 years old), and a modest track record with the national team, accumulating 24 caps and 6 goals.
The lineup further features the names of Munir El Haddadi, Noureddine Amrabat, Mourad Batna, and the Mmaee brothers.
While their presence in this extensive list signifies a nod of acknowledgment, it does not assure a secured spot in the ultimate selection.
Emphasizing a youth-centric approach, the roster introduces promising talents such as Ilias Akhomach (19 years old, Villarreal), Neil El Aynaoui (22 years old, RC Lens), and Omar El Hilali (20 years old, Espanyol), each earning their maiden call-up for the Moroccan national team.
Additionally, Nabil Alioui (24 years old, Le Havre), who previously represented the French under-20 team, now receives recognition for potential inclusion in the Moroccan lineup.
Commencing their AFCON 2023 journey on January 17 against Tanzania, the Moroccan squad is poised to face DR Congo four days later, followed by a clash against Zambia on January 24.
The unveiling of this diverse and dynamic roster sparks anticipation and sets the stage for an exciting campaign in the upcoming continental tournament.
🚨 OFFICIEL : Neil El Aynaoui, Chadi Riad et Ilias Akhomach sont présélectionnés pour la CAN par Walid Regragui. 🇲🇦
Ainsi que Nabil Alioui et Yassine Kechta.
Sofiane Boufal & Noussair Mazraoui sont également pré-sélectionnés. pic.twitter.com/7So8CwVIoP
— ᴍᴏᴜɴᴛᴀᴋʜᴀʙ ғᴏᴏᴛ 🇲🇦🇲🇦 (@MountakhabFoot) December 20, 2023
