Coach Mohamed Hwbi has announced Morocco's final 22-man squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger. The list features a first senior call-up for Ayoub Afaqir and the return of experienced striker Youssef En-Nesyri after a year-long absence.

Hwbi stated: "I have announced the final list of players invited to join a preparatory camp starting on November 9, in preparation for the two upcoming matches against the Niger national team." The teams will meet in the third round on November 13 at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, before moving to the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat for the fourth round on November 17. This preparation precedes the fixture against Niger in Casablanca on Saturday 11 November.

New Composition

The squad includes four goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, and Alaa Belarouch. Nine defenders were called up: Nayef Aguerd, Noussair Mazraoui, Salah Eddine Anas, Sofyan Kourdi, Rzwan Al-Halah, Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Achraf Hakimi, and Ali Maamar.

Seven midfielders make the cut: Anioub Bouadi, Naël Aynaoui, Oussama Targalink, Bilal El Khannouss, Rzha Al-Hamhan, Abdellah Ouazzan, and Amin Sbaa. The forward line consists of six players: Brahim Díaz, Yassine Jassim, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Youssef En-Nesyri, Yasser El Zabiri, and Ayoub Afaqir. Ezzalzouli, who scored Morocco's only goal in their last friendly, will be one of the attacking options.

Absences and Returns

Key players are missing due to injury, most notably Ismail El Sibari, Ayoub El Kaabi, and Sofyan Rahimi. However, significant firepower returns with En-Nesyri back in the fold after a full year out since the 2025 AFCON final against Senegal. Rzha Al-Hamhan also returns, having earned one previous cap under former coach Walid Regragui.

The first call-up for Ayoub Afaqir comes following his impressive form for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie, where he has made 40 appearances and contributed to 7 goals. En-Nesyri brings vast experience with 92 international caps and 31 goal contributions.

Morocco prepares for these fixtures leading their qualifying group with a perfect six points from two wins against Gabon and Lesotho. This follows a 1-1 friendly draw with Mali in early October, where Abdessamad Ezzalzouli scored a 35th-minute penalty. The team's last result was a draw, with no wins or defeats in their most recent outing. The next match is at home to Niger in Casablanca on November 11.

The original report is at إرم نيوز