The countdown to Morocco's November international fixtures has officially begun. The Atlas Lions have arrived at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora to start preparations for their upcoming double-header against Niger in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Despite the rainy conditions, the Moroccan internationals reported to their national-team headquarters on Monday, ready to begin training under head coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
Led by captain Achraf Hakimi and several established internationals, Morocco will be looking to maintain their strong qualifying campaign and strengthen their position at the top of Group A.
Two Home Fixtures With Six Points at Stake
Morocco are scheduled to face Niger twice during the November international window.
The first encounter will take place on November 13 at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, before the teams meet again on November 17 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Both fixtures count towards the third and fourth rounds of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
The Atlas Lions currently lead their group after securing two victories in September, defeating Gabon 2-0 before recording another 2-0 win against Lesotho.
With six points already collected, Ouahbi's men have an opportunity to strengthen their position and take another important step towards qualification.
Ayoub Oufkir Makes His Entrance as En-Nesyri Returns
The latest gathering features a mixture of established internationals, returning players and emerging talent.
One of the most interesting additions is Ayoub Oufkir, the young attacker from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, who represents a new face within the national-team setup.
His inclusion provides another opportunity for Morocco to assess promising talent competing in European football and potentially strengthen their attacking options for the future.
Meanwhile, Youssef En-Nesyri returns to the squad, offering the Atlas Lions additional experience and a familiar attacking presence.
His return could prove particularly valuable as Morocco look to increase their options in the final third and maintain competition for places across the squad.
Ouahbi Looks to Build Momentum Before AFCON 2027
The November gathering represents another important stage in Ouahbi's work with the national team.
Beyond collecting six points, the coach will want to strengthen the team's tactical organisation, develop greater attacking consistency and give his players more opportunities to build an understanding on the pitch.
The presence of new and returning faces also creates competition within the squad, encouraging every player to make the most of the international window.
With the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, Morocco will be keen to approach the tournament with a well-prepared and competitive squad.
The Road to AFCON Continues
The Atlas Lions have made a positive start to their qualifying campaign, but the upcoming fixtures offer another test of their ambitions.
Playing both matches at home provides a valuable opportunity to collect maximum points in front of Moroccan supporters.
For Oufkir, the gathering could mark the beginning of an exciting international journey. For En-Nesyri, it represents an opportunity to make an immediate contribution following his return.
The Atlas Lions are back together in Maâmora. Now, their focus turns to Niger, with two victories firmly in their sights as the journey towards AFCON 2027 continues.