Niger name 25-man squad for Morocco double-header in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Niger manager Nabil Neghiz has announced a 25-man squad for the two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Morocco.

The Mena will face Morocco twice because Niger does not have an approved stadium. The first match will be played at Casablanca’s Complexe Mohammed V on 13 November, with the return fixture scheduled for 17 November at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

The games will be the third and fourth rounds of Group A qualifying. Morocco had already confirmed Mohamed Ouahbi’s squad on Wednesday, before Neghiz unveiled his selection on Saturday.

Neghiz’s group includes nine players based in Niger, four from other African leagues, six from Europe and six from Asia. Among the African-based players is Mohamed Abdouramane, the central defender of Moroccan club RCA Zemamra.

Italy-based left-back Rahim Alhassane is the only member of the squad playing in one of Europe’s Big Five leagues, with the defender representing Bologne.

Morocco are the clear favourites on paper against the 111th-ranked nation in the world. The Atlas Lions lead Group A after two victories, beating Gabon 2-0 before winning 2-0 away to Lesotho.

Niger are third on goal difference, behind second-placed Gabon, and are three points behind Morocco. Neghiz began his time in charge with a 2-1 victory over Lesotho, but his side then lost 2-0 to Gabon.

Niger squad to face Morocco

Goalkeepers: Mahamadou Tanja (Djibrilla Kassali) (Simba SC, Tanzania), Issiaka Boukari Kanta (ASN Nigelec, Niger), Abdoulaye Mainassara Boubacar (AS FAN, Niger)

Defenders: Oumar Sako (Rostov, Russia), Ibrahim Mahamane Sani (Spartanii Sportul, Moldova), Yacouba Diori (Al-Ahed, Lebanon), Mohamed Abdouramane (RCA Zemamra, Morocco), Aboubacar Camara (KS Bylis, Albania), Adamou Gora (USGN, Niger), Rahim Alhassane (Bologne, Italy), Pape M’Baye (AS FAN, Niger), Jalil Mamane (AS Douanes, Niger)

Midfielders: Youssouf Oumarou (Stade Tunisien, Tunisia), Ousseini Badamassi (Al Ahed, Lebanon), Hassane Harouna Moussa (AS FAN, Niger), Boubacar Abdoul Madjid Moumouni (Al-Shorta, Iraq), Mamane Sabo (Zeleznicar Pancevo, Serbia), Ali Mohamed (Maccabi Haifa, Israel)

Forwards: Kairou Amoustapha (Etzella Ettelbruck, Luxembourg), Boubacar Soumana Hainikoye (USGN, Niger), Abdoul-Latif Djibril Goumey (Saint-Eloi Lupopo, RDC), Tidjani Amadou Moutari (East Riffa, Bahrain), Daniel Sosah (Aktobe, Kazakhstan), Ismael Abdoul Aziz (ASN Nigelec, Niger), Abdoul Kader Yacouba (AS Police, Niger)