Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi denied any personal rift with midfielder Sofyan Amrabat after the player made himself unavailable for selection. Ouahbi stated the issue concerned playing time rather than a personal conflict, insisting that no player is guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. The coach's comments came during a press conference after naming his first squad since Morocco's quarter-final exit at the 2026 World Cup, a 2-0 defeat to France.
Ouahbi said: "First of all, Sofyan has given a lot to the national team and we must remember that." He added: "In football, the past earns you respect, but it does not give you any privileges." Amrabat, the 30-year-old Ajax Amsterdam midfielder, was a key member of the Morocco side that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals under former coach Walid Regragui. His role was reduced at the latest tournament, however, starting only one match before the elimination by France.
Morocco now prepares to begin its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, hosting Gabon on September 25. The team currently sits second in World Cup qualifying with 7 points from 3 games, having scored 6 goals and conceded just 3. Fans can follow the team's path via the standings and upcoming fixtures pages.
Focus on Performance
Ouahbi indicated that technical decisions are based solely on what he deems best for the team at present, regardless of past achievements. He confirmed the door is open to all players who show seriousness and readiness at their clubs. This comes as the national team deals with the absence of key figures like Achraf Hakimi and Ayoub El Kaabi due to injury, details of which are on the injuries list.
Morocco's recent form has been mixed, with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in its last five outings. Those matches included a 3-0 win over Canada and a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands. Ouahbi appears focused on building a new team based on competitive spirit and high physical readiness ahead of the key qualifier against Gabon next week.
The original report is at reuters.com
