The Moroccan football federation has received confirmation from the International Football Federation that Ayoub Oufkir, a young player from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, has been cleared to play for the Moroccan national team. This development comes as a boost to the national team's technical staff ahead of their match against Niger in the third round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Oufkir had previously played for Dutch youth teams, requiring a change of sporting nationality.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation made significant efforts to complete the paperwork for Oufkir's change of sporting nationality. Until earlier today, Oufkir was not eligible to play for Morocco due to his previous appearances for Dutch youth teams. However, with the clearance from the International Football Federation, Oufkir is now available for selection by national coach Mohamed Wahbi.
In other news, Morocco's under-17 team suffered a second consecutive defeat in the North African Football Union tournament, losing 1-0 to Egypt in a match held in Tunisia. The team, led by coach Nabil Baha, is competing in the tournament as part of their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, the Moroccan national team has taken a significant step towards qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Niger 5-1 in a match held at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca. The team dominated the match, with Yaser Zabiri opening the scoring in the fourth minute and Achraf Hakimi adding two goals in the 27th and 34th minutes.
Coach Mohamed Wahbi has announced his starting lineup for the match against Niger, featuring players such as Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, and Brahim Diaz. The team is looking to build on their impressive performance in the match against Niger and secure a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation continues to work on developing the country's football talent, with a focus on preparing the national team for major international tournaments. The federation's efforts have been boosted by the clearance of Ayoub Oufkir, who is expected to bring a new level of skill and energy to the team.
The Moroccan national team's success in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers has been matched by the country's academic institutions, which are hosting conferences and seminars on topics related to sports and diplomacy. A recent conference at the University of Ibn Tufayl in Kénitra focused on the challenges and opportunities facing Morocco's diplomatic efforts, including the issue of the Western Sahara.
Key points
- Moroccan football federation obtains clearance for Ayoub Oufkir to play for national team
- Morocco's under-17 team suffers second consecutive defeat in North African Football Union tournament
- Moroccan national team takes significant step towards qualifying for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations
Reporting sources
- الجامعة تنجح في تأهيل أوفقير · Al Ahdath Al Maghribia
