Mohamed Ouahbi is expected to make several changes to his midfield when Morocco face Mali at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Sunday evening.
Among the players pushing for a place in the starting XI is Soufiane El-Faouzi, who could be handed his first start for the national team after making his international debut during the recent victory over Lesotho.
A First Start Could Be on the Way
The Schalke 04 midfielder made his first appearance for Morocco in the closing stages of the 2–0 win over Lesotho, coming on for Azzedine Ounahi.
Now, after impressing during the team's recent training sessions, he is reportedly in contention to begin Sunday's friendly from the start.
The opportunity would represent an important step for the young midfielder as he continues to establish himself within the Atlas Lions setup.
Making an Impression in Training
The coaching staff have relied heavily on the midfielder during recent tactical sessions, giving him an opportunity to demonstrate his qualities within different midfield structures.
His performances in training have reportedly caught the attention of the technical staff, strengthening his case for a starting role against a physically demanding opponent.
A full appearance would also allow Ouahbi to evaluate his ability over a longer period at international level.
Another Midfield Option for Ouahbi
The friendly against Mali offers the Morocco coach an ideal opportunity to experiment with his midfield options.
With the competitive qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho already completed, the focus can shift toward assessing different combinations and giving emerging players greater responsibility.
The physical intensity expected from the opposition could provide a useful test for the Schalke midfielder, particularly in terms of his ability to compete, recover possession and contribute to Morocco's build-up.
An Opportunity to Earn More Trust
For the youngster, Sunday represents more than simply another international appearance.
A starting role would give him the chance to show the coaching staff that he can handle greater responsibility and compete for a regular place within the national team.
After making his debut from the bench, the next step could now be a first international start in front of the Moroccan supporters in Tangier.
A Chance to Strengthen His Position
The final decision will ultimately rest with Ouahbi, but the midfielder has put himself in contention through his work during the current camp.
With Morocco using the friendly to assess different options, a strong performance could strengthen his position within the squad and give the technical staff another midfield option to consider for future competitive matches.
For the young Schalke player, the opportunity is clear: turn his first international minutes into a convincing first start.