Morocco’s substitutes make their mark in Niger rout as Ouahbi faces selection test

Morocco’s squad depth was on full display as they beat Niger 5-1 at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca on Friday in the third round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Mohamed Ouahbi’s side were without six important players, but the absences did little to disrupt the Atlas Lions. Several substitutes took their opportunity to impress, with some making a particularly dramatic impact after coming off the bench.

Azzedine Ounahi, Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi, Ayoub El Kaabi and Chadi Riad were all unavailable for the latest international gathering. Their absence could have affected Morocco’s balance, yet Ouahbi’s team produced a convincing performance and secured a comfortable victory over Niger.

The result was significant not only because of the scoreline, but also because of the options available to the Morocco manager. His substitutes repeatedly added intensity and quality, turning their introductions into a strong argument for future opportunities.

Youssef En-Nesyri was the first to make a decisive contribution. The Al-Ittihad striker came on for Yassir Zabiri in the 69th minute and made an immediate impression on his return to international football.

A headed effort was ruled out for offside shortly after his arrival, but En-Nesyri soon found the net. He reacted quickest in the penalty area to finish a precise delivery from Achraf Hakimi, further strengthening Hakimi’s position as a leading contender for the 2026 African Ballon d’Or.

En-Nesyri also remained involved in Morocco’s attacking play and could have provided a goal for Ayoub Oufkir, whose performance was one of the evening’s major highlights.

The 20-year-old AZ Alkmaar winger was making his first appearance for the Atlas Lions and brought energy and directness from the moment he entered the pitch. Oufkir attempted five shots, all of them on target, and continued to threaten after initially being denied by Niger’s goalkeeper and defenders.

He eventually scored at the far post, meeting an excellent cross from Abdellah Ouazane. The Ajax Amsterdam prospect had been introduced in the 84th minute, but still managed to leave a clear impression despite his limited time on the field.

Morocco’s positive contributions were not restricted to its attacking players. Reda Belahyane returned to the national team after a two-year absence and injected pace into midfield.

The Lazio midfielder pressed aggressively to win possession, made himself available to receive the ball and supported attacks with forward runs. In around 15 minutes on the pitch, he completed 13 of 16 passes and helped create En-Nesyri’s goal by releasing Hakimi with the pass before the assist.

The strength of Morocco’s squad gives Ouahbi considerable options, but it also presents him with a difficult management challenge. He must handle his players’ minutes carefully in Tuesday’s second leg and may have to leave some current performers disappointed when the injured players return.