Morocco have suffered a late setback ahead of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying fixtures, with Neil El Aynaoui ruled out after failing to recover from an ankle problem.
The RB Leipzig midfielder, who arrived at the national-team camp with discomfort in his ankle, underwent further medical examinations and an assessment by the Moroccan coaching staff. The evaluation confirmed that he would not be physically ready to participate in the upcoming matches.
In response, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has called up Samir El Mourabet of RC Strasbourg to replace him, giving the young midfielder another opportunity to represent the Atlas Lions.
El Aynaoui Withdraws After Medical Assessment
According to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, El Aynaoui underwent an in-depth medical evaluation after reporting an ankle issue that had already been present when he joined the national-team gathering.
Following the examinations, the medical staff concluded that the midfielder would not be able to approach the upcoming fixtures in optimal physical condition.
His withdrawal is an unfortunate setback for Morocco, particularly as the coaching staff continue to build their midfield options ahead of AFCON 2027.
Rather than risk aggravating the problem, the decision was made to leave him out of the squad for the two encounters against Niger.
Samir El Mourabet Receives His Opportunity
With El Aynaoui unavailable, Samir El Mourabet has been brought into the squad as his replacement.
The Strasbourg midfielder, who was not included in Ouahbi's original selection, now has an opportunity to demonstrate his qualities during the November international gathering.
His recent contract extension with the French club until 2031 reflects Strasbourg's confidence in his long-term potential. The national-team call-up represents another encouraging development in his career and an opportunity to strengthen his position within Morocco's midfield options.
For the 20-year-old, the immediate objective will be to adapt quickly to the squad's preparations and make the most of the opportunity.
Atlas Lions Intensify Preparations at Mohammed VI Complex
Meanwhile, the rest of the Moroccan squad continue their preparations at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora, with the first meeting against Niger approaching.
The players completed physical and technical-tactical exercises during their late-morning training session, focusing on improving fitness levels, tactical organisation and coordination between different areas of the team.
Another training session was scheduled for 6 PM as Ouahbi and his coaching staff worked to fine-tune the team's preparations.
The Atlas Lions will then travel to Casablanca for their final training session ahead of Friday's encounter, scheduled for 6 PM at the Mohammed V Stadium.
Two Home Fixtures on the Road to AFCON 2027
Morocco will face Niger twice during the November international window, with both matches counting towards the third and fourth rounds of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
The first encounter takes place on November 13 at 8 PM at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, before the teams meet again on November 17 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The Atlas Lions will be targeting positive results in both matches as they look to strengthen their position in the qualification group.
A New Opportunity for El Mourabet
El Aynaoui's absence is undoubtedly disappointing, but El Mourabet now has an opportunity to make his mark within the national team.
For Ouahbi, the priority will be maintaining midfield balance while ensuring that every available player is ready to contribute.
With two important qualifying fixtures approaching, Morocco will hope to turn their preparations into convincing performances and continue their progress towards the continental tournament.
One setback opens another door: Samir El Mourabet now has the chance to seize his opportunity and make a lasting impression in the Atlas Lions shirt.