Morocco name squad for September AFCON qualifiers; Achraf Hakimi called up
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The Atlas Lions confirm their squad for September games.
Morocco’s manager, Mohamed Ouahbi, picked his team on Thursday for the qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho, the first two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and an exhibition match against Ghana.
Several players received their first senior call-ups. Yasser Zabiri, a Racing Santander forward who has six goals in six games in the Spanish league, is called up. Abdellah Ouazane, goalie Alaa Belaaroussi, Soufiane El Fouzi, and Taoufik Bentayeb are also earning their first call-up.
Familiar faces have also returned. Goalkeepers Yassine Bounou and Munir Mohamedi top the list of recent stalwarts, followed by Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli, who preserved his spot despite a recent controversy with the Ceuta support shirt and the subsequent criticism.
Among the most notable additions is 17-year-old Ouazane, who has been elevated to the senior squad as his quick improvement continues.
Zabiri and El Faouzi join him as rookies, while Ouahbi has chosen to introduce some younger players while keeping most of the national team’s established core.
Zabiri’s chance comes as a result of his efforts with Racing Santander, while El Faouzi has stood out at Schalke 04.
Morocco will begin their qualifying run at home against Gabon on Friday, September 25, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Four days later, on Tuesday 29th, they will face Lesotho in the second match in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
A friendly versus Ghana is scheduled for October 4 in Tangier.
Morocco announces squad for September matches
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Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Alaa Bellaarouch.
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Anass Salah-Eddine, Ali Maamar, Marwane Saadane, Redouane Halhal, Zakaria El Ouahdi.
Midfielders: Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari, Oussama Targhalline, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Samir El Mourabet, Neil El Aynaoui, Soufiane El-Faouzi.
Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Soufiane Rahimi, Abdellah Ouazane, Yassine Gessime, Yassir Zabiri, Tawfik Bentayeb.
Who will Morocco face in September?
Gabon and Lesotho.
When is Morocco first game?
It’s on 26th September at 12:30 am IST.
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