Morocco Kicks Off World Cup Qualifying Campaign Against Sudan in Rabat

Achraf Hakimi’s teammates will try to take the lead in Group I in order to start the next match against Guinea more serenely. In a statement to the press, Soufiane Boufal estimated that winning the match against Sudan will give confidence to the players to take on the continental and international deadlines, adding that the national team is physically and mentally ready to take up the challenge of this decisive match.

Regarding the players, Vahid Halilhodzic chose to play it safe by summoning the best elements of the group except [Hakim Ziyech], whom he blames for his indiscipline and bad behavior during the friendly matches. The coach explained this at length in front of the press. "He often arrives late and doesn’t like to work. The national team is the most important thing, it’s above everything else. No one can take the national team hostage. It’s the first time in my coaching career that I’ve seen a behavior that disappoints me. He didn’t want to play a friendly match when he was fit. He underwent medical tests and he could have played, it’s unacceptable for the team," he said yesterday, regretting that no journalist had asked him about his health.

What players will be lined up against Sudan?

For these two official matches, Halilhodzic has called up the goalkeepers Yassine Bounou (Sevilla FC), Mounir El Kajoui (Hatayspor) and Anas Zniti (Raja Casablanca).

To occupy the defensive line, Soufiane Chakla (Villareal), Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid), Ghanem Saïss (Wolverhampton) and Nayef Aguerd (Stade Rennais) have been selected by the national coach.

Regarding the midfield, Halilhodzic has selected Soufiane Amrabat (Fiorentina), Aymane Barkok (Frankfort), Adil Taarabt (Benfica), Slim Amallah (Standard de Liège), Ilias Chair (Quenns Park Rangers) Imran Louza (Watford) and Youssef Maleh (ACF Fiorentina).

In attack, six players have been called up, namely Soufiane Boufal (Angers SCO), Achraf Bencharki (Zamalek), Munir Haddadi (FC Seville), Zakaria Boukhlal (AZ Alkmaar), Youssef En-Nesyri (FC Seville) and Ryan Mmaee (Ferencvárosi TC).

The list unveiled by the Bosnian has been marked by the call-up of new faces such as Imran Louza (Watford), Youssef Maleh (ACF Fiorentina), Souffian El Karouani (NEC Nijmegen) and Soufiane Alakouch (FC Metz).

Note that this match will be broadcast live tonight at 8pm (Moroccan time) on the Arryadia channel.