Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has added Ilias Akhomach to the Atlas Lions squad as preparations continue for Friday’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifier against Gabon.
The Villarreal winger was called up on Tuesday, September 22, joining the national team camp at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora just three days before the important encounter.
His arrival provides Ouahbi with another attacking option at a time when the fitness of one of Morocco’s key forwards is being closely monitored.
Akhomach Joins the Atlas Lions
The 20-year-old Villarreal winger has now joined the Morocco camp as the squad enters the final stages of preparation for the Gabon match.
His inclusion adds further depth to the attacking options available to the coaching staff, particularly on the right side.
The call-up also comes at an important moment, with Morocco continuing its preparations for the start of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Brahim Diaz Remains a Doubt
While Akhomach's arrival strengthens the squad, uncertainty remains around Brahim Diaz.
The Real Madrid attacker was present with the group during Tuesday's training session but did not complete the workout.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, the Moroccan international continues to experience muscular discomfort that has affected him for several weeks.
With the Gabon match now only days away, the national team staff will closely monitor his condition before determining whether he will be available.
Morocco Continue Their Preparations
The Atlas Lions completed their second training session of the current camp on Tuesday.
The session, held late in the morning, focused primarily on technical and tactical work as Ouahbi and his staff continued preparing the squad for the opening qualifier.
With the competitive match approaching, the coaching team will now concentrate on finalising the tactical details and assessing the physical condition of the players.
Gabon Await in Rabat
Morocco will open their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Gabon on Friday, September 25.
The match will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.
The meeting represents the first competitive test of the new qualifying campaign and comes as Ouahbi continues to shape his squad for the challenges ahead.
Another Training Session Before the Match
The Atlas Lions will return to training on Wednesday, September 23, with the session scheduled for 5:30 PM at the Moulay Abdellah Complex.
That session could provide further indications regarding the fitness situation, particularly with the coaching staff continuing to assess the attacking options available for Friday.
For now, Akhomach's arrival offers additional depth, while the focus remains on determining whether Diaz will be ready to play his part against Gabon.
With the first qualifier approaching, Morocco's preparations are entering their final phase, and every training session will be important ahead of Friday's opening challenge.