Noussair Mazraoui returns from illness to boost Morocco ahead of friendly matches

Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui has recovered from illness and is set to rejoin the national team ahead of their upcoming international friendlies, according to his club Manchester United.

The defender had missed United’s recent Premier League fixture against AFC Bournemouth, raising concerns about his availability for international duty.

However, the club confirmed he is now fit and will link up with the Morocco squad in time for the March international window.

“Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has recovered from an illness and will link up with Morocco, ahead of their friendlies against Ecuador and Paraguay,” the club stated.

Despite some doubts over his recent form, Mazraoui has retained the confidence of new Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who has included him in the squad for the two matches.

Ouahbi highlighted the defender’s tactical value, pointing to his adaptability across multiple positions as a key factor in his selection.

His ability to operate in different roles is seen as an important asset as the coach looks to shape a balanced and competitive team.

Morocco are scheduled to face Ecuador on 27 March before taking on Paraguay on 31 March.

The fixtures form part of the team’s preparations as they continue to build towards future competitive engagements.

The first match will be played in Madrid, while the second is set to take place in Lens, offering Morocco the chance to test themselves against South American opposition in European venues.

For Mazraoui, the return to fitness comes at a crucial moment. Having recently been sidelined, the upcoming friendlies present an opportunity to regain rhythm and reassert his importance within the national setup.

The defender has long been valued for his technical ability and intelligence on the ball, qualities that allow him to contribute both defensively and in attacking phases of play.

His versatility also provides the coaching staff with flexibility in team selection and tactical adjustments.

The matches against Ecuador and Paraguay are expected to offer valuable insights into Morocco’s squad depth and cohesion, particularly under a new coaching setup.

With Mazraoui now available again, Morocco will be able to count on an experienced option as they continue refining their approach ahead of future challenges.

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Daraja Kapoor
Daraja Kapoor is a highly respected football journalist, editor and analyst, known for his compelling storytelling and sharp, data-driven insights into the game. He specialises in match analysis, features, emerging talent coverage and football trends across Africa.He holds a degree in English from the University of Cape Coast and has built a strong reputation in the media industry through his disciplined approach and deep understanding of football.Daraja received his journalistic training at leading news platform Ghanaguardian.com and has worked with some of the most prominent football websites in Ghana, including Footballmadeinghana.com and Ghanasoccernet.com. He also served as Sports Editor of Talysports.com, where he played a key role in shaping editorial direction and content strategy.He is currently the Managing Editor of African.Football, where he leads the platform’s editorial vision, overseeing content production, quality control and the delivery of authoritative African football coverage to a global audience.

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