Morocco Football Chief Pushes for Ziyech and Mazraoui’s National Team Return

"The doors of the national team are open to all Moroccan players, whatever the differences. [...] No one can deprive a Moroccan player of playing with the national team, whether it’s Hakim Ziyech, Noussair Mazraoui or anyone else," said Fouzi Lekjaa, quoted by BBC Sport Africa, during a meeting of the executive committee.

The Chelsea attacking midfielder and the Ajax Amsterdam full-back did not participate in the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2021) held from January 9, 2022 to February 6, 2022 due to the rift with the Franco-Bosnian coach. While they were on the pre-selected list for the Atlas Lions’ match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs, Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui declined Vahid Halilhodzic’s invitation. In early February, the Chelsea attacking midfielder himself announced that he would retire from international football.

The rift continues but the football boss is determined to bring the two Moroccan internationals back to the national team before the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Hence, the pressure exerted on the coach of the Atlas Lions.