Casablanca — Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has called up Ilias Akhomach to join the national team camp ahead of the Atlas Lions’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Gabon.
The Villarreal winger was added to the squad on Tuesday, four days after Ouahbi initially announced his 29-man selection for the September international window.
Akhomach’s call-up comes after the 22-year-old started Villarreal’s last two La Liga matches and provided an assist in both games. He set up Alberto Moleiro for Villarreal’s second goal in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Levante, following another assist in the 3-1 win against Málaga three days earlier.
The winger has made six La Liga appearances this season, including two starts, and has registered two assists.
His addition strengthens Morocco’s attacking options as the team prepares for its first competitive fixtures under Ouahbi since the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions will host Gabon on Friday, September 25, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat before travelling to Bloemfontein to face Lesotho on September 29. Both matches form part of the opening rounds of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Morocco will then conclude the international window with a friendly against Ghana on October 4 at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
Akhomach’s latest call-up adds another attacking option to a Morocco squad that already includes several young players as Ouahbi begins shaping his team for the next stage of the national team’s campaign.
