Head coach Nabil Neghiz has named 25 players, nine of them based in Niger, to face Morocco on 13 and 17 November. Both matches will be played in Morocco, as Niger has no approved stadium.
To face Morocco twice, the leaders of Group A in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, Niger have called up a squad of 25 players, only nine of whom play in the Nigerien league, according to H24info. A largely local group up against a major African nation.
Both matches will be played on 13 and 17 November in Morocco, as Niger has no approved stadium. The first leg is scheduled for 13 November at the Mohammed V complex in Casablanca (8pm), with the return on 17 November at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat. Neghiz, the Algerian coach in charge of the Niger national team, told Elbotola: “I would have preferred to host Morocco on our own soil”.
A squad drawn from many horizons
Of the 25 players selected, nine play in Niger. The others are spread across Europe, Asia and Africa: six in other European leagues, six in Asia and four at clubs in other African countries. Only one member of the squad plays in one of Europe’s big five leagues: defender Rahim Alhassane, who wears the colours of Bologna.
Among the players to watch is centre-back Mohamed Abdouramane, who plays for RCA Zemamra in Morocco and knows the Moroccan league well. Oumar Sako and Tidjani Amadou Moutari are also on the list of 25 called up.
Morocco, leaders of Group A
Niger sit third in Group A with 3 points, level with Gabon but behind on goal difference. Neghiz’s men opened with a 2-1 win over Lesotho before losing 2-0 to Gabon. Morocco lead the group outright with 6 points after 2-0 wins over Gabon and Lesotho.
According to Le Matin Sports, the Algerian coach believes his team must not give up and is targeting at least one point from the two matches.
A tight schedule
The two meetings with Morocco come in quick succession over four days, between the first leg in Casablanca on 13 November and the return in Rabat on 17 November. Niger will therefore play two matches in four days, with sixteen players based outside the country.