Starting in central defence in Morocco’s 5-1 win over Niger on Friday in Casablanca, Nayef Aguerd, the Olympique de Marseille defender, is building on his comeback after six difficult months marked by a missed 2026 World Cup and a collapsed move to Real Sociedad.
On Friday 13 November 2026, Nayef Aguerd started in the heart of Morocco’s defence against Niger in Casablanca. The Olympique de Marseille centre-back played his part in a comfortable Moroccan win (5-1), according to LePhocéen. The start caps his return to the level expected of him at OM.
This third consecutive win in the qualifiers keeps Morocco top of Group A with 9 points, the same source reports. Aguerd contributed under head coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
Six difficult months and a missed World Cup
Behind that starting place lies a far less straightforward recent path. According to Football Club de Marseille, Aguerd went through six difficult months, missed the 2026 World Cup and saw a move to Real Sociedad fall through before rediscovering his form at OM. The report does not specify the reasons for those difficult months.
Trained at Rennes under Bruno Genesio, the 30-year-old defender hit a rough patch in his career. His return to form at OM marks the end of that spell, according to the same source.
A comeback confirmed with OM
It is at club level that the signs have turned positive again. Football Club de Marseille points in particular to his performance against Bayer Leverkusen (1-0) in the Europa League, which confirmed his growing stature. The outlet gives no figures for that assessment.
The Morocco set-up offers him another stage on which to confirm it. Starting in defence, Aguerd played in a back line that conceded only once against Niger, according to LePhocéen.
Next up in Rabat
There is little breathing room in the schedule. The return match against Niger is set for Tuesday 17 November 2026 in Rabat, according to LePhocéen. Another chance for Aguerd to cement his place in central defence, with Morocco still top of Group A on 9 points.
Morocco have yet to slip up in these qualifiers, with three consecutive wins to their name.