Amine Adli will finally be a Moroccan international. The talented young Bayer Leverkusen player has been called up to the squad by Walid Regragui, who has just unveiled his list. Ismaël Saibari, very much in the spotlight with PSV Eindhoven and a brilliant performer at the U23 AFCON, has finally been rewarded.He joins the senior squad along with other African U23 champions.
Amine Adli summoned by Regragui, finally agrees to play for Morocco
Returnees, absentees and newcomers. Walid Regragui has once again slightly reshuffled his squad for the Atlas Lions’ upcoming matches. On Thursday August 31, the Moroccan coach unveiled his list for the matches against Liberia (September 9) and Burkina Faso (September 12).The main new addition is Amine Adli. The Bayern Leverkusen striker will be making his first appearance for the Atlas Lions.
Returnees, absentees and newcomers. Walid Regragui has slightly reshuffled his squad for the Atlas Lions’ upcoming matches. On Thursday August 31, the Moroccan coach unveiled his list for the matches against Liberia (September 9) and Burkina Faso (September 12). The main new addition is Amine Adli. The Bayern Leverkusen striker will be making his first appearance for the Atlas Lions. A great offensive reinforcement in view of the next AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. In addition to the former French U-21 international, Regragui has also called up Ismaël Saibari, the PSV Eindhoven midfielder who was in the spotlight at club level on Wednesday August 30, scoring twice against Rangers. His compatriot, Benjamin Bouchouari, African champion at the U23 AFCON, will also have his first call-up. No Brahim Diaz, however, as fans had also been eagerly awaiting. Amir Richardson, the Rémois player, called up with the U23s, will also get to know the senior team, as will Ibrahim Salah.
“We’re bringing them in so that they have experience and know the group.They’re no surprise to me, and you don’t win a competition with just youngsters either…” explained Regragui.If the public were beginning to lose hope for Lamine Yamal, Walid Regragui has once again shown that he can stall on the case of FC Barcelona’s will-o’-the-wisp. Although Spain seem to be ahead of the game, Morocco are not giving up hope.
“It’s not easy for Lamine Yamal”.
“Lamine is a 16-year-old kid.We worked hard to get him here, but it’s a personal choice and it’s not easy for him.When I took over as head of the national team, it was already a priority. Our scouts have been working for a long time,” Regragui simply explained. In other words, there’s still hope of convincing the phenomenon. As for the case of dual nationals, the coach preferred to be pragmatic. No more tough talk like before the World Cup.“Why is he coming?Why doesn’t he come? A binational, there are timings for him to come. You also have to take into account one thing: there’s pressure from clubs and coaches. Especially because of the African Cup of Nations. I’m telling you,” he declared.
Ziyech will have to work hard
The other surprise is the absence of Hakim Ziyech.But for those in the know, it’s a logical one, given the magical left-hander’s lack of game time.Galatasaray’s new winger will nevertheless have to work hard between now and the African Cup of Nations to keep his place. “I’m still counting on him, but he hasn’t had any preparation. It’s not a sanction. He’s just signed for Galatasaray, where he’ll be playing in the Champions League. It’s an opportunity for me to test new players.He’ll be here in October,” explained Regragui.
The Atlas Lions coach did suggest, however, that players who play in Gulf leagues are still important to the national team. “For me, the Saudi league is higher than that of Belgium or the Netherlands. When I see the players who play in this league (Ronaldo, Kanté, Brozovic, Mané, Benzema ndlr…), the level is high”, Regragui notes.”For me, Bounou is the best goalkeeper in the world,” he added.Although he decided to omit Ziyech, Regragui did call up Saïss, who has no game time and is in an uncomfortable situation in Qatar.
The list also features the return of Ayoub El Kaâbi, who is enjoying his first season with Olympiakos. Abderrazzak Hamdallah, who has yet to score since his return to the national team, is still on Regragui’s list, doubtless saved by his performances in the Saudi league. Achraf Dari, on the other hand, is paying the price for his lack of game time, even though the coach says he is “counting on” the Brest defender.
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou – Munir El Mohamedi – Youssef Moutie – Mehdi Benabid.
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi – Noussair Mazraoui – Nayef Aguerd – Romain Saiss – Abdelkabir Abqar – Yahya Attiat Allah – Jawad El Yamiq – Yunes Abdelhamid.
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat – Bilal El Khannouss – Selim Amallah – Benjamin Bouchouari – Azzedine Ounahi – Amir Richardson.
Forwards: Amine Harit – Ismael Saibari – Youssef En-Nesyri – Abderrazak Hamdallah – Ayoub El Kaabi – Abdessamad Ezzalzouli – Zakaria Aboukhlal – Ibrahim Salah – Amine Adli – Walid Cheddira.
