Morocco have adjusted their squad for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Niger, replacing injured midfielder Neil El Aynaoui with Samir Mourabet.
Neil El Aynaoui’s injury and departure from camp
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation explained in a statement on its website on Wednesday 11 November that Neil El Aynaoui had turned up to the training camp with ankle discomfort. The national team's medical staff ran a thorough assessment and further tests on Neil El Aynaoui on Tuesday. According to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the results of Neil El Aynaoui's medical assessment and tests showed he would not be fit enough to play the next two matches in peak condition. The federation added that, after talks with Neil El Aynaoui and his club, the technical staff cleared him to leave the camp and continue his treatment and recovery.
Samir Mourabet’s call-up and first change to the squad
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi called up Strasbourg player Samir Mourabet to replace Neil El Aynaoui in the Atlas Lions squad. Samir Mourabet's call-up is the first change to Morocco's squad ahead of the two matches against Niger. Mohamed Ouahbi had previously named a 26-man Morocco squad for the third and fourth round clashes with Niger on 13 and 17 November in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Mohamed Ouahbi's squad list marked the return of several names, and it also handed a call-up to AZ Alkmaar winger Ayoub Oufkir.
Updated goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers
After the latest change, Morocco's squad is as follows. After the latest change, Morocco's goalkeepers for the two matches against Niger are Yassine Bounou, Mounir El Mohammadi, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti and Alaa Belaarouch. After the latest change, Morocco's defenders for the two matches against Niger are Noussair Mazraoui, Anas Salah Eddine, Sofiane El Karouani, Nayef Aguerd, Redouane Halhal, Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Achraf Hakimi and Ali El Maamari. After the latest change, Morocco's midfielders for the two matches against Niger are Ayoub Bouaddi, Samir Mourabet, Oussama Targhalline, Bilal El Khannouss, Reda Belahyane, Amine Sbai and Abdellah Ouazzane. After the latest change, Morocco's attackers for the two matches against Niger are Brahim Diaz, Jassim Yassine, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ayoub Oufkir, Yassir Zabiri and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Training schedule and Morocco’s position in Group One
Morocco are preparing for two matches against Niger and are continuing their preparations at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. Morocco's players held a morning training session on Wednesday 11 November at 11.30am local time, working on physical, technical and tactical aspects. A second training session was scheduled for Wednesday 11 November at six in the evening. Another training session is scheduled for Thursday 12 November at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca from six in the evening, and the first 15 minutes of the Thursday 12 November training session at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca will be open to the media from a quarter to six. The Atlas Lions top Group One in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with six points. Morocco beat Gabon 2-0 in the first round of Group One qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, and Morocco beat Lesotho 2-0 in the second round of Group One qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
