Morocco midfielder Neil El Aynaoui has been ruled out of both Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger after medical examinations found that he was not fit enough to play. Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has called up RC Strasbourg midfielder Samir El Mourabet as his replacement.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) confirmed the change on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, two days before Morocco’s opening match against Niger in Casablanca.
El Aynaoui had joined the national-team camp with ankle discomfort and underwent further medical examinations on Tuesday.
El Aynaoui Leaves Morocco Camp After Medical Assessment
According to the FRMF, the national team’s medical staff carried out a detailed assessment of El Aynaoui’s condition.
The examinations showed that he would not be able to approach the two matches in suitable physical condition.
Following discussions with the player and his club, RB Leipzig, Morocco agreed to release him from the camp so he could continue his recovery.
El Aynaoui, 25, joined Leipzig on loan from AS Roma in September 2026. He had been included in Ouahbi’s original 26-man squad for the Niger qualifiers.
The federation has not announced a timetable for his return.
Samir El Mourabet Called Up as Replacement
Ouahbi has turned to Samir El Mourabet, the 21-year-old Strasbourg midfielder, to fill the vacant place.
El Mourabet, born in Strasbourg on October 6, 2005, has developed through the French club’s youth system and established himself in the first-team squad.
He was part of Morocco’s September international setup but had been left out of the initial November selection.
His return comes at a difficult time for Morocco’s midfield.
Azzedine Ounahi and Ismael Saibari were already unavailable because of injuries, as detailed in Atlas Lions Insider’s November injury report.
With El Aynaoui also absent, Ouahbi’s midfield options now include El Mourabet, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Oussama Targhalline, Bilal El Khannouss, Reda Belahyane, Amine Sbai and Abdellah Ouazane.
El Mourabet’s inclusion restores the squad to 26 players, although his involvement in either match has not been confirmed.
Morocco Prepare for Two Matches Against Niger
Morocco will face Niger at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Friday, November 13, before meeting the same opponents at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, November 17.
Both fixtures are part of qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Atlas Lions lead Group A with six points following victories over Gabon and Lesotho in September.
Morocco continued their preparations with two training sessions at the Mohammed VI Football Complex on Wednesday.
The squad is scheduled to train in Casablanca on Thursday evening ahead of the first qualifier.
Primary source: Royal Moroccan Football Federation — November 11, 2026 announcement.
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