Coming on against Niger, Youssef En-Nesyri scored his 26th international goal and moved ahead of Hakim Ziyech in the Atlas Lions’ all-time rankings. The Al-Ittihad striker is now just one goal behind Salaheddine Bassir.
Youssef En-Nesyri did not need ninety minutes to remind the Atlas Lions of what he can do.
Brought on in the 69th minute against Niger, the Al-Ittihad striker scored Morocco’s fourth goal in the 77th, from an Hakimi assist, according to Goal.com India. A winning return: the goal takes his international tally to 26 and moves him ahead of Hakim Ziyech, on 25, in Morocco’s all-time scoring charts. He now sits third, behind Ahmed Faras and Salaheddine Bassir.
Eight minutes to make the difference
It took En-Nesyri just eight minutes to get on the end of Hakimi’s pass and find the back of the net. According to Arriyadiyah, it is his first international goal since the one scored against Congo on 14 October 2025, more than a year earlier.
Before this match, his last appearance in the national shirt dated back to the AFCON final against Senegal in January, again according to Arriyadiyah. The report gives no further details about the circumstances of this return.
A historic podium within reach
The Atlas Lions’ scoring chart, as detailed by Goal.com India, places En-Nesyri on 26, ahead of Ziyech’s 25 and behind Salaheddine Bassir’s 27. Ahmed Faras remains top with 36.
According to Yalla Shoot, the striker is just one goal away from equalling Bassir and taking second place on his own.
Morocco maintain their perfect record
The goal against Niger came in another strong team performance. According to Arriyadiyah, Morocco top their group with nine points, from three wins in three matches.
Morocco’s next international window will concern qualifying for AFCON 2027. The report does not specify the date of that fixture, at which En-Nesyri could, if called up, try to close the gap on Bassir.