Niger coach Nabil Neghiz has announced a 25-man squad for the two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Morocco.

The Algerian coach confirmed his selection on Saturday, three days after Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi named his own squad for the third and fourth rounds of Group A qualifying.

Morocco will host both fixtures because Niger does not have an approved stadium. The first match will take place at the Complexe Mohammed V in Casablanca on 13 November, with the return fixture scheduled for 17 November at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Neghiz has selected nine players from Niger’s domestic league, alongside four footballers based in other African leagues. That group includes central defender Mohamed Abdouramane of RCA Zemamra in Morocco.

Six players in the squad are based in Europe, including left-back Rahim Alhassane of Bologna, the only member of the group playing in one of Europe’s Big Five leagues. A further six players come from clubs in Asia.

Ranked 111th in the world, Niger are third in Group A on goal difference, behind second-placed Gabon. They trail leaders Morocco by three points after two matches.

Morocco began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Gabon before beating Lesotho 2-0. Neghiz made a winning start as Niger manager when his side defeated Lesotho 2-1, but they then suffered a 2-0 loss to Gabon.

Niger squad to face Morocco

Goalkeepers: Mahamadou Tanja (Djibrilla Kassali) (Simba SC, Tanzania), Issiaka Boukari Kanta (ASN Nigelec, Niger), Abdoulaye Mainassara Boubacar (AS FAN, Niger).

Defenders: Oumar Sako (Rostov, Russia), Ibrahim Mahamane Sani (Spartanii Sportul, Moldova), Yacouba Diori (Al-Ahed, Lebanon), Mohamed Abdouramane (RCA Zemamra, Morocco), Aboubacar Camara (KS Bylis, Albania), Adamou Gora (USGN, Niger), Rahim Alhassane (Bologna, Italy), Pape M’Baye (AS FAN, Niger), Jalil Mamane (AS Douanes, Niger).

Midfielders: Youssouf Oumarou (Stade Tunisien, Tunisia), Ousseini Badamassi (Al Ahed, Lebanon), Hassane Harouna Moussa (AS FAN, Niger), Boubacar Abdoul Madjid Moumouni (Al-Shorta, Iraq), Mamane Sabo (Zeleznicar Pancevo, Serbia), Ali Mohamed (Maccabi Haifa, Israel).

Forwards: Kairou Amoustapha (Etzella Ettelbruck, Luxembourg), Boubacar Soumana Hainikoye (USGN, Niger), Abdoul-Latif Djibril Goumey (Saint-Eloi Lupopo, Democratic Republic of the Congo), Tidjani Amadou Moutari (East Riffa, Bahrain), Daniel Sosah (Aktobe, Kazakhstan), Ismael Abdoul Aziz (ASN Nigelec, Niger), Abdoul Kader Yacouba (AS Police, Niger).