Ilyes Housni, the 21-year-old AS Nancy Lorraine forward who came through PSG, is on Jamel Aït Ben Idir’s 25-man list for the two matches against Ethiopia in AFCON U23 qualifying. His only cap dates back to November 2023.
In the 25-man list unveiled by head coach Jamel Aït Ben Idir is a name Morocco U23 have not fielded since November 2023: that of Ilyes Housni. The 21-year-old AS Nancy Lorraine forward is included for the double header against Ethiopia in the second round of AFCON U23 qualifying, LeSiteinfo reports via Sport.fr.
His only cap for Morocco U23 dates back to 16 November 2023, against Denmark (0-3). That day he left the camp with a cruciate ligament injury, according to Sport.fr.
From PSG to the Atlas Lion Cubs
Trained at PSG, Housni first wore the shirts of France’s youth teams, at U17 and U18 level, before joining Morocco U23, Sport.fr reports.
He was then loaned to Al-Sadd, then to Le Havre, before signing a free three-year deal with Nancy in June, according to Wikipedia, cited by Sport.fr.
A round trip to Dire Dawa
The international window opens with an African away trip. The first leg of the double header is set for Thursday 12 November at Dire Dawa Stadium in Ethiopia, according to Sport.fr. The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday 17 November at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
For Morocco, the reigning champions, the aim is to reach the AFCON U23 finals set for Egypt in 2027, Hespress indicates via Sport.fr. The top three at that tournament will earn direct tickets to the Los Angeles 2028 Games, according to the same source.
A place to win back
The report does not specify his current playing time at Nancy, where he signed a three-year contract in June. His call-up comes almost three years after his only appearance for Morocco U23, a match in which he was injured.
If they qualify, the Atlas Lion Cubs will meet Senegal or the winner of Djibouti – South Sudan in the next round, Sport.fr reports.