Ouahbi on Amrabat’s absence, Ezzalzouli’s shirt controversy and Morocco’s new call-ups

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi denied a rift with Sofyan Amrabat on Thursday, saying the midfielder’s limited playing time was the main concern as he announced a 29-man squad for matches against Gabon, Lesotho and Ghana.

Speaking at the Mohammed VI Football Complex on September 17, Ouahbi said Amrabat’s contribution deserved respect but past performances did not guarantee a place in the national team.

Amrabat’s playing time

“The problem for the player is playing time,” Ouahbi said, identifying regular competition and current readiness as selection criteria.

His comments followed reports that Amrabat would not represent Morocco while Ouahbi remained coach. Ouahbi denied any conflict between the midfielder and himself or the coaching staff, while stressing that players’ records earned recognition rather than privileges.

Support for Ezzalzouli

Ouahbi defended Abde Ezzalzouli after the winger wore a shirt supporting Ceuta’s residents before a Spanish league match, saying nobody could question his commitment to Morocco.

He suggested Ezzalzouli’s enthusiasm about returning after a lengthy absence might have distracted him from the wording and implications of the shirt.

“Putting myself in his shoes: he was eager to play his first match since the World Cup, he gets handed a t-shirt in the locker room… As far as I’m concerned, the matter is closed. We will continue to support our players and raise their awareness.”

Ouahbi urged supporters to help the winger regain his form and avoid drawing players into political disputes, particularly when they were returning from difficult periods.

Ben Taleb’s Germany choice

Ouahbi said Morocco had followed Eintracht Frankfurt forward Younes Ben Taleb before he chose Germany, including considering him for the preliminary squad for May’s camp.

He said injuries and limited appearances had complicated the player’s progress, but improved performances this season had brought him back into contention.

“I spoke to him by telephone about Morocco’s project without making any promises, and then he made his choice,” Ouahbi said.

“Playing for Morocco is not something to negotiate. It must be a choice.”

He said the matter was closed and the staff would focus on other options.

Five newcomers and three fixtures

Yasser Zabiri, Abdellah Ouazane, Alaa Bellaarouch, Soufiane El Faouzi and Tawfik Bentayeb received first senior call-ups.

Ayoub El Kaabi, Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, Chadi Riad and Youssef Belammari were absent through injury. Chemsdine Talbi and goalkeeper Mehdi El Harrar were omitted for technical reasons.

Ouahbi said readiness, rather than a preference for overseas players, guided selection, adding that staff would assess domestic players once the Moroccan league began.

Morocco hosts Gabon in Rabat on September 25 before facing Lesotho in Bloemfontein on September 29, opening its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Ghana visits Tangier for a friendly on October 4. Ouahbi said a proposed Argentina match became difficult after Argentina sought to host it, given Morocco’s South Africa trip. European teams’ crowded schedules also restricted alternatives, making Ghana a suitable opponent.

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