Morocco v Niger: AFCON 2027 qualifier preview — November 13 at Mohammed V Stadium

Morocco will face Niger at the Mohammed V Stadium on November 13 in their third group-stage match of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with both sides named and available for selection.

The Atlas Lions have opened their qualifying campaign with consecutive 2-0 victories, first over Gabon and then Lesotho, leaving Morocco top of their group after two matches; Mohamed Ouahbi’s side will carry home advantage and confidence into this fixture.

Niger recorded a 2-1 win against Lesotho in their opening qualifier but lost 0-2 to Gabon and were outplayed by Algeria in a friendly; the Nabil Neghiz-led team arrive under pressure and will face the challenge of playing away. The Ménas have also failed to secure a win in their last six outings against the Atlas Lions.

With two top players absent, Youssef En Nesyri has been called up to represent Morocco. The 29-year-old forward, currently with Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, is set to be deployed as a striker and is expected to pose a regular threat to Niger’s defence.

Daniel Sosah remains Niger’s attacking focal point; the 28-year-old has scored in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers and will be tasked with stepping up to give his side a chance. All of the squad members for both Morocco and Niger are fit to be in action.

Morocco’s announced XI reads: Bounou (GK); Hakimi, Diop, Ait Boudlal, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Diaz, Sbai, El Khannous; En Nesyri. لائحة منتخبنا الوطني لخوض مباراتي النيجر ضمن الجولتين الثالثة والرابعة من تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2027 🔛 Our National Team squad for the two AFCON 2027 qualifying matches against Niger 🇳🇪#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/5CQTq5XAws Niger’s XI is listed as: Tanja (GK); Camara, Abdouramane, Sako, Alhassane; Amoustapha, Oumarou, Mohamed, Aziz; Yacouba; Sosah.

The fixture is scheduled for November 13 (BST) at the Mohammed V Stadium and will be shown in Nigeria on Canal+ and Sport 1 Afrique; viewers in the USA can watch via beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV and beIN SPORTS CONNECT.

With superior squad strength on paper and the home-ground advantage, Morocco will be confident of extending their run while Niger will be under pressure; a win would hand the Atlas Lions three more points in the AFCON 2027 qualifying group.