En-Nesyri set to return to Morocco squad after ten-month absence

Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi will present his squad on Wednesday, November 4, for the next international window, with the long-awaited return of Youssef En-Nesyri, sidelined since the last Africa Cup of Nations ten months ago. The Lions of the Atlas, defending African champions pending the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision following Senegal’s appeal, will face Niger on November 11 and 14 in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

En-Nesyri, 29, had been dropped by Ouahbi in favour of a false 9 system built around Ismael Saibari. But a serious right ankle injury requiring surgery has now deprived the manager of that option. The 1.91 m striker is thus back in contention after rediscovering his best form at Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia: seven goals in eleven Saudi Pro League matches and one goal in the AFC Champions League this season.

One of the heroes of Morocco’s run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — where the Lions of the Atlas lost 2-0 to France — he has 92 caps and 25 goals. A return to the national team would bring him closer to the symbolic milestone of 100 caps.

However, En-Nesyri is not expected to start immediately. Yassir Zabiri, in fine form with Racing Santander in Spain’s second division and started against Gabon in the 2-0 victory in Rabat, is considered Ouahbi’s number 9. Morocco had also dominated Lesotho 2-0 away to begin their qualifiers.

The two matches against Niger will first be played away — the exact venue remains to be determined, as no Niger stadium meets FIFA standards — then in Morocco.