Morocco’s National Team Shakeup: Halilhodzic Unveils Surprising Squad Selection

The brand new coach of the Atlas Lions will deliver suspense this week to the many fans of the Moroccan national football team by publishing his highly anticipated list. The second publication since his arrival and the very first concocted by his own hands could be available at the beginning of the week.

On the menu of this list, new faces, as well as more familiar ones who have distanced themselves from the selection: Hamza Mendyl, Nabil Touaïzi, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Mounir Chouiar, EL Yamiq, ...

The very first who could appear on this list is a returnee, namely the left-back of Dijon, Hamza Mendyl, announces the daily Assabah, which specifies that the coach has decided to give him a chance after having followed his latest matches with his club, as well as with the Olympic team.

According to the same media, this selection is part of the preparations for the qualifications for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Cameroon. As a prelude to these continental competitions, the national team will face their Libyan and Gabonese counterparts in friendly matches on October 11 and 15. And, Mendyl could well prove himself.

Among the expected surprises on the list, there is the call-up of the young striker, Nabil Touaïzi, who plays for Manchester City’s U19 team. The 18-year-old Moroccan-Spanish youngster, who has played for the U17 selection, would have chosen to join the Atlas Lions. He will therefore make his first appearance in the Moroccan colors as early as October.

In addition to Mendyl and Touaïzi, seven other players will also be part of it. These are Abderrazak Hamdallah, Jawad Yamiq and the winger of AZ Alkmaar, in Eredivisie, Oussama Idrissi.

The other hope expected on the Bosnian coach’s list is Mounir Chouiar, one of Dijon’s wingers, born in France and of Mauritanian father and Moroccan mother. He has also accepted the coach’s invitation and will have to appear on the list.