Morocco announces roster to face Flying Eagles at U-20 AFCON

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Morocco has announced its squad to compete against Nigeria and Tunisia in the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has selected a 26-player roster for the tournament, which will take place in Egypt from April 27 to May 18.

Placed in Group B alongside Nigeria, Tunisia, and Kenya, Morocco has revealed its lineup.

The squad comprises a mix of homegrown talent and players based abroad, including defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal from Stade Rennais and centre-back Julien Misbahi from FC Twente.

Notably, striker Mouad Dahhak from Union Touarga, who has had a standout season in Botola Pro 1, has also received a call-up.

The following players have been chosen:

Goalkeepers: Yanis Benchaouch (AS Monaco/France), Ibrahim Gomis (Olympique de Marseille/France), and Abdelhakim Mesbahi (AS FAR).

Defenders: Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (Amiens SC/France), Smail Bakhty (Sturm Graz/Austria), Ismael Baouf (Anderlecht/Belgium), Issa Habri (Stade Rennes/France), Ahmed Khatir (SK Beveren/Belgium), Hamza Koutoune (OGC Nice/France), Julien Mesbahi (FC Twente/Netherlands), and Fouad Zahouani (Union Touarga).

Midfielders: Ismaël Aouad (RC Lens/France), Amine Boukamir (Charleroi SC/Belgium), Anass El Makkaoui (FUS Rabat), Naoufel El Hannach (PSG/France), Houssam Essadak (Union Touarga), Reda Laalaoui (FUS Rabat), and Saad El Haddad (Venezia FC/Italy).

Forwards: Ayman Erguigue (SD Huesca/Spain), Adam El Mokhtari (Elche/Spain), Ilias Boumassaoudi (FC Den Bosch/Netherlands), Mouad Dahak (Union Touarga), Jones Abdellaoui (RC Celta Vigo/Spain), Adnane Kharroubi (SM Caen/France), Othmane Maama (Montpellier/France), and Mohamed Yassir Zabiri (Famalicao/Portugal).