Ayoub Oufkir enjoyed a memorable first night with Morocco’s senior national team, scoring on his debut as the Atlas Lions defeated Niger 5-1 in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on 13 November 2026.
The AZ Alkmaar forward came off the bench in the 75th minute and made his mark late in the game. Oufkir found the net in the 90th minute to complete Morocco’s five-goal performance, turning his first senior appearance into a moment he will remember throughout his career.
A debut goal after a long-awaited opportunity
Oufkir’s introduction added pace and direct running to Morocco’s attack. His goal was the final touch in a convincing team display that had already featured a brace from Achraf Hakimi, an early strike by Yassir Zabiri and a goal from Youssef En-Nesyri. Niger scored once through Mohamed Abdouramane.
The 19-year-old’s arrival is another sign of Mohamed Ouahbi’s willingness to assess emerging Moroccan talent. The coach has repeatedly used international windows to evaluate options and build depth ahead of future tournaments. A debut goal does not guarantee a regular place, but it gives Oufkir a strong starting point as he competes for further opportunities.
What comes next for Oufkir?
The next challenge is consistency: earning minutes at club level, adapting to the senior international environment and showing that he can contribute against different types of opponents. Morocco’s attacking competition remains strong, so every appearance will matter.
Morocco are scheduled to face Niger again on 17 November in Rabat in the fourth round of AFCON 2027 qualifying. Follow the Atlas Lions coverage on Lions12 and our Matches Centre for updates.
Sources
- Morocco World News – Ayoub Oufkir marks Morocco debut with a goal
- beIN SPORTS – Morocco 5-1 Niger match report and events
- Le360 – Mohamed Ouahbi’s post-match comments
Lions12 will update this report if the federation publishes further details about Oufkir’s international status or role in the squad.