Mohamed Ouahbi announced his 26-man squad on Tuesday, November 4, for Morocco’s two matches against Niger, scheduled for November 13 in Casablanca and November 17 in Rabat, as part of the third and fourth matchdays of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
At the outset, the Moroccan coach stressed that his priority remains building a competitive team for the next Africa Cup of Nations.
Ouahbi wants to use this international break to move closer to the squad he intends to field at the tournament.
“Our priority is qualification: winning both matches. We also said that the next FIFA international window would be in March. By March, we want to have a squad that is as close as possible to the one we want for the Africa Cup of Nations. If there is a period when we can test players and build continuity, it is now.”
The coach also made clear that he does not intend to limit Brahim Diaz to the No. 10 position. Instead, he wants to adapt the player’s role to the team’s needs and the combinations between players.
“At No. 10, I always try to field the players who are performing best. If I see that Brahim can play as a No. 10, he will play as a No. 10. Ouazane, El Khannouss and Saibari can all play in that position. I have not focused on putting Brahim at No. 10. The idea is to find the most competitive team and encourage the connections between players.”
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Explaining why he included three left-backs in the squad, Ouahbi pointed to the need to manage positions and consider players’ current form. He also recalled why an extra right-back had been called up for the previous training camp.
“We should remember that we took an extra right-back last time because Hakimi was returning from injury. It was important to have another player available. There is also the question of current form: El Karouani has been playing regularly at Benfica. We have three right-backs in the squad and wanted to add another player on the flank. So, we selected two left-footed players.”
Youssef En-Nesyri’s return reflects the coaching staff’s decision to consider a different attacking profile, one they believe could offer additional solutions against Niger.
“We have followed all of his matches with Al-Ittihad. We watched his games and have been following him from the beginning. We tried other profiles at the last World Cup, and today his profile could bring us something against a team like Niger. We gave other players priority to give them playing time, but we also have to be fair to him and show him our playing model. This is the right time for him.”
The coach also highlighted the Moroccan striker’s qualities. “We know Youssef’s qualities and what he can bring to the team. We were following an approach that involved giving another player an opportunity. It has nothing to do with our playing model; he simply has a different profile. At the World Cup, we selected El Kaabi, who has a different profile and is a penalty-box striker. Given what we are looking for today, Youssef can bring us a lot. He could have the opportunity to express his talent within our current playing model.”
Ouahbi then explained that his decisions are not based solely on players’ immediate performances.
“We follow a lot of players. Morocco must win today, but also in the medium and long term. We pay attention to everything, and this training camp is the right time to give certain players an opportunity. We must make choices. We decided to take a smaller squad, which means we cannot include as many players.”
Among the new call-ups, Ayoub Oufkir offers another option on the wings, according to the coach. “On the right, we have players who have established themselves with the national team or at their clubs, as well as others to whom we want to give more continuity. On the wings, we have selected young players with great potential who are already performing well. Ayoub and Ouazane, when he plays on the left, can operate in different attacking positions and are interesting options. In the long term, these are players we want to give an opportunity to and who will develop very quickly.”
The coach went on to explain Oufkir’s qualities and what he could bring to Morocco’s attack.
“We must put them in context. Oufkir is very dynamic and technical, capable of beating his opponents and delivering very good crosses, which could allow Youssef (En-Nesyri) or (Yassir) Zabiri to score.”
Following the recent matches against Mali, Lesotho and Gabon, Ouahbi said he wants to continue the work already underway to improve the Atlas Lions’ collective performance. He stressed the importance of confidence and consistency.
“We are always trying to improve and get better. We use the matches against Mali, Lesotho and Gabon to perform well, make progress and become more efficient. That requires work and confidence, but above all confidence. Our ambition is to be better after every match.”
Morocco will play the two matches in Casablanca. Ouahbi presented the decision as an effort to bring the national team closer to supporters across the country.
“Playing in Casablanca is a first for me. The idea is to give all regions and cities across Morocco the opportunity to see the national team. I know that we will receive the same welcome and the same passion in every stadium. We are focused on what we need to do. The idea is to deliver on the pitch.”
The coach also reaffirmed his intention to continue drawing on players from Morocco’s youth national teams. This approach should help them gain experience while providing new options for the senior team.
“Drawing on the U20 and U23 national teams is something we do. These are players who can bring us talent. We give them playing time and always have specific intentions. Now, these are official matches. Above all, we must approach them with the idea of giving these players as much playing time as possible. At every training camp, we have to see who can play.”
Asked about Brahim Diaz’s limited playing time at Real Madrid, Ouahbi said he wants to support the player and encourage him to earn more minutes at his club.
“Both we and he want him to play more. He plays for one of the best clubs in the world, where competition is very intense. When he joins the national team, he is very happy to be here. We will encourage him so that he can return to his club and get even more playing time. We have selected players for the No. 10 position and the left wing to give ourselves more options.”
Nominated in the Best Coach category at the CAF Awards, Ouahbi also spoke about his nomination and the presence of numerous Moroccans across the different categories.
“It is a source of pride to have so many Moroccans nominated. I think we will win some trophies. This reflects the progress of Moroccan football in Africa and around the world, and our ability today to rank among the best in the world. But these are individual awards.”
Reda Belahyane, who has enjoyed a strong season with Lazio, has earned the coach’s confidence and returns to the national team. Ouahbi highlighted the midfielder’s consistency and the qualities he has demonstrated in his role at the Italian club.
“(Reda) Belahyane deserves it. He is having a very good season with a team that is performing well and is top of the Calcio standings. He plays regularly and, in his role and with his profile, he is doing some very interesting things. It is therefore normal to give him an opportunity to show what he can do in a position where some players are having more difficulties or have had a more complicated start to the season.”
Regarding Noussair Mazraoui, who has had less playing time at Manchester United, Ouahbi defended his selection. The coach said his decisions are based on players’ profiles, their performances with the national team and their ability to strengthen the collective.
“When you select a national team, you cannot simply go on the internet, look at playing time and pick the players who play the most. If that were the case, you would not need me. You have to find a playing model and players who can fit into it and make the team stronger. You mentioned Mazraoui, who is playing less. You have to look at his matches with Morocco. It is not just a question of mathematics and calculations, but of a player’s profile and ability to make our team stronger.”
The coach also rejected the idea that the Moroccan right-back enjoys an untouchable status, while stressing the importance of continuing to trust players who have regularly performed well for the national team.
“It is not a question about being untouchable. We know that some players perform well for Morocco, so we continue to call them up. Just because they are not doing well at their clubs does not mean we will stop selecting them. We also have to help them feel better at their clubs when they return by giving them confidence. These are players who have brought something to the team every time they have played for Morocco. If, after five or six matches, they are no longer performing well, things will be different.”
Although Amir Richardson was left out of the squad, the Moroccan coaching staff continues to monitor him closely. Ouahbi said his absence was primarily the result of a decision about the size and composition of the group.
“He is a player we have been following very closely. He made a very good start to the season and played some good matches, but he has been a little less convincing recently. That is not the reason for his absence. We reduced the squad to four midfielders and selected those who were performing best. He has enormous potential and good qualities. We will continue to follow him and, God willing, he will have the opportunity to join us.”
Regarding the options available at center-back, Ouahbi said he was satisfied with the situation of the players at his disposal. He singled out Redouane Halhal’s progress.
“Thank God, they are playing and doing well. It is always positive when they get playing time. We have always managed to find solutions during periods of uncertainty regarding the defense, playing time or injuries. Halhal had a very difficult start to the season. He did not play during the last training camp, but he understood that he had to do more to earn another call-up. Since then, he has been playing more. That is important for his confidence. We will support them, not only the center-backs but all the players.”
Despite the injuries to Azzedine Ounahi, Soufiane Rahimi, Ayoub El Kaabi and Ismaël Saibari, Ouahbi remained optimistic about their recovery. He believes they should normally be back before the Africa Cup of Nations.
“These are players who have suffered serious injuries, but thank God, I think they will recover before the Africa Cup of Nations. I cannot act as a doctor. Many of them could recover by March. Of course, I am in contact with them. These are difficult moments, and we are accompanying and supporting them. They will come back stronger. Every problem has a solution. We have to find them, and this also gives us the opportunity to try other players. It will increase competition. Injuries happen everywhere and, above all, all four should normally be back before the Africa Cup of Nations.”
Ouahbi also outlined the monitoring work carried out by his staff to assess players who could potentially join the Atlas Lions.
“We follow more than 60 players every week. We review all the footage of every player, with four analysts. We watch them in stadiums, live and throughout the week. Of course, everyone has an opportunity. This squad is proof of that, with new players and others returning. We close the door on no one. And when I say no one, I mean no one.”
The coach reiterated the team’s objective. “We must not do just anything, but the entire process is aimed at reaching the Africa Cup of Nations with the clearest possible picture of who will represent Morocco at AFCON 2027.”
Amine Sbai’s call-up is also part of the effort to broaden Morocco’s attacking options. Ouahbi believes the player could get more playing time during the two matches against Niger.
“Amine can play as a No. 10 and on the left wing. He has been consistent throughout the season. At the World Cup, we did not give him many opportunities, but this is also about giving him the chance to get more playing time. He is playing well and has an interesting profile against Niger.”
