Opposition watch: Morocco include PSG, Monaco, Marseille players in star-studded squad for U20 Afcon

Mohamed Wahbi, coach of Morocco's U20 national team, has announced the list of players invited to participate in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Egypt from April 27 to May 18, 2025.

Nine youngsters playing in France are part of the 26-man squad, including Monaco's Yanis Benchaouch, Paris Saint-Germain's Naoufel El Hannach, and Marseille's Ibrahim Gomis.

An analysis of the roster revealed that three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and eight forwards are in contention to earn caps during the tournament in Egypt.

The Young Atlas Lions have been drawn in Group B of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Nigeria, Tunisia and Kenya.

Their first game of the tournament is against Kenya on May 1, and then they face the Flying Eagles three days later, before concluding group play against Tunisia on May 7.

Morocco have not won the U20 Afcon since 1997 when they beat South Africa in the final. 

Morocco's 26-man Afcon squad

Goalkeepers: Yanis Benchaouch (AS Monaco/France), Ibrahim Gomis (Olympic Marseille/France), Abdelhakim Mesbahi (AS FAR)

Defenders: Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (Amiens SC/France), Smail Bakhty (Sturm Graz/Austria), Ismael Baouf (Anderlecht/Belgium), Issa Habri (Stade Rennes/France), Ahmed Khatir (SK Beveren/Belgium), Hamza Koutoune (OGC Nice/France), Julien Mesbahi (FC Twente/Netherlands), Fouad Zahouani (Union Touarga)

Midfielders:Ismaël Aouad (RC Lens/France), Amine Boukamir (Charleroi SC/Belgium), Anass El Makkaoui (FUS Rabat), Naoufel El Hannach (PSG/France), Houssam Essadak (Union Touarga), Reda Laalaoui (FUS Rabat), Saad El Haddad (Venezia FC/Italy)

Forwards: Ayman Erguigue (SD Huesca/Spain), Adam El Mokhtari (Elche/Spain), Ilias Boumassaoudi (FC Den Bosch/Netherlands), Mouad Dahak (Union Touarga), Jones Abdellaoui (RC Celta Vigo Fortuna/Spain), Adnane Kharroubi (SM Caen/France), Othmane Maama (Montpellier/France), Mohamed Yassir Zabiri (Famalicao/Portugal).

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: frmf.ma

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com