AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi to name squad for Niger double-header on Wednesday

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi is set to announce his squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Niger on Wednesday, November 4.

Ouahbi will unveil his selection during a press conference scheduled for 11:00 local time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex as the Atlas Lions prepare for their November international assignments.

The announcement comes ahead of Morocco’s training camp, which is expected to begin on Monday, November 9.

Morocco will face Niger on November 13 and 17 in the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with both fixtures scheduled to take place on home soil.

The first meeting will be played at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, while the return encounter is scheduled for the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The Atlas Lions currently top Group A with six points after beginning their qualifying campaign with consecutive 2-0 victories over Gabon and Lesotho.

New faces and potential returns to Morocco squad

Ouahbi could make changes to his squad, with several players attracting attention ahead of the announcement.

AS FAR duo Anas Bach and goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti are among the new faces who could earn opportunities, having featured on the coach’s preliminary list.

The Morocco coach is also monitoring other Botola players, including goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui and midfielder Mehdi Benabid, as he considers strengthening his options for the two fixtures.

Sunderland winger Chamsdine Talbi is another player in contention for a return to the national team after missing Morocco’s previous international camp.

Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad striker Youssef En-Nesyri could also be recalled following an impressive start to the season. The forward has registered seven goals and two assists in 13 appearances, performances that have reportedly attracted Ouahbi’s attention.

Hakimi and Bounou among expected regulars

Despite the possibility of introducing fresh faces, Ouahbi is expected to retain the core of the squad that has helped Morocco establish themselves at the top of Group A.

Captain Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Brahim Diaz, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismaël Saibari and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli remain among the established players expected to feature in the selection.

Defender Nayef Aguerd and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou are also expected to remain important members of the Atlas Lions squad as Morocco look to maintain their winning start to the AFCON qualifying campaign.