Morocco’s under-23 national team will head into their upcoming friendly matches against Ivory Coast without a permanent head coach, as questions continue to surround the direction of one of Africa’s most promising youth setups.
The North African side is scheduled to face Côte d’Ivoire’s U23 team twice, on 26 and 30 March, as part of preparations aimed at strengthening a squad that reflects both local development and the country’s growing diaspora influence.
However, the absence of a confirmed coach has cast a degree of uncertainty over the camp.
For now, responsibility is expected to fall on Jamel Aït Ben Idir, a former Morocco international who has been working with the U20 team.
His role is understood to be temporary, with the Moroccan Football Federation yet to make a final decision on a long-term appointment.
Adil Ramzi is among those being considered to take over in the near future, although no official announcement has been made.
Despite the uncertainty on the bench, the squad itself offers a glimpse into Morocco’s broader football strategy. That approach has become a defining feature of several African national teams in recent years.
One of the major talking points is the absence of Ajax prospect Rayane Bounida.
The young midfielder, who has been linked with a switch from Belgium to Morocco, was not included in the squad.
While details remain unclear, reports suggest that administrative processes related to his international eligibility could be behind the delay in his involvement.
His absence leaves a gap in a team that is otherwise focused on integrating emerging talent early.
In contrast, the inclusion of players with senior international experience highlights a different aspect of Morocco’s planning.
Adam Aznou, despite a difficult spell at club level where he has yet to feature this season for Everton, has been selected.
His situation has drawn attention in recent weeks, particularly after he removed references to his club from his social media accounts following a CAF-related development involving Senegal.
Youssef Lekhedim, also known as Yusi, continues his steady rise within the national team structure.
The 20-year-old defender, who plays in Spain, has already been introduced to senior international football and is now part of efforts to build continuity between age groups.
The squad also includes members of Morocco’s successful U20 generation, such as Yanis Benchaouch and Hossam Essadak, alongside Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal and Yassir Zabiri, who have had exposure to the senior side.
Their presence underlines the federation’s intention to maintain a consistent pathway from youth to senior football.
Across Africa, there is an increasing emphasis on long-term squad building, with federations identifying talent early and creating structured progression. Morocco’s U23 setup reflects that trend, even as it navigates short-term uncertainty.
The upcoming matches against Ivory Coast will therefore serve a dual purpose, offering competitive preparation while also providing insight into how this evolving group can perform without a permanent figure leading from the sidelines.
