The Royal Moroccan Football Federation failed to complete the qualification procedures for Ayoub Offrir, the rising talent and Alkmaar Dutch player, who will thus be absent from the Moroccan national team squad in their anticipated match today, Friday. This important clash will see the “Atlas Lions” face Niger at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, as part of the third round of qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations finals hosted by Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.
The main reason behind this sudden absence of Alkmaar’s striker is the delay by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) in issuing the final legal authorization, the procedure that allows Ayoub Offrir to officially wear the Moroccan national team jersey. This delay came despite the efforts exerted by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, which began the process of changing the player’s sports nationality last October, especially after he previously represented the Netherlands U21 national team.
After the Moroccan football authority did not receive official approval from FIFA before today’s crucial match, Offrir’s debut appearance in the national team jersey was postponed until further notice, pending the fulfillment of all necessary administrative conditions and procedures. This delay forces Moroccan fans to wait to see this young talent don the “Atlas Lions” jersey.
It is worth mentioning that the national team enters today’s “Dounour” match leading Group A with a full 6 points, collected from two consecutive victories with the same score (2-0) against Gabon and Lesotho. The “Lions” seek to continue their positive results streak and confirm their leadership of the group in the campaign to qualify Ayoub Offrir.
