Morocco continue their preparations in the Maâmora downpour ahead of facing Niger, with Achraf Hakimi present but without Neil El Aynaoui, injured in the ankle and ruled out of both matches.
The Morocco national team have continued their preparations in unusual conditions: a veritable deluge has hit the Mohammed VI football complex in Maâmora, where the Lions are preparing to host Niger on Friday 13 November 2026 in Casablanca, reports Le360.ma.
In the rain, the squad trained in full, with one exception.
El Aynaoui halted by an ankle
Neil El Aynaoui did not take part in the session. Troubled by his ankle, the player was rested by the staff, Le360.ma reports. He has also been ruled out of both matches against Niger, on 13 and 17 November 2026.
To make up for his absence, Morocco have called on Samir El Mourabet, of RC Strasbourg. Achraf Hakimi, for his part, reported for duty.
A Hakimi full of confidence
According to Sport.fr, Hakimi scored a hat-trick and provided two assists in PSG’s 5-1 win at Le Havre. His first goal had initially been ruled out for offside before being awarded by VAR.
The episode also gave rise to a misunderstanding with Luis Enrique, who thought Hakimi was complaining to the referee and pulled him up on it. The player recounts: “I kept chatting with him in a funny way, but the coach thought I was complaining!”
As a team, Morocco top their 2027 CAN qualifying group with 6 points, ahead of Gabon and Niger, according to Le360.ma.
A context of individual recognition
Hakimi is also among the 10 candidates for the 2026 African Player of the Year title, alongside his compatriots Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari, according to Africa.com. The CAF Awards 2026 ceremony will be held on 2 December 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, reports New Vision, which also highlights his 13th place in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the best position for an African international.
Before those distinctions, the calendar dictates Niger: the first match is set for Friday 13 November 2026 in Casablanca, the second for Tuesday 17 November 2026, again against the same opponent.