Amine Harit’s return to form for Olympique de Marseille has not been enough to earn him a recall to Morocco, even with several attacking players unavailable for the upcoming matches against Niger.
The 29-year-old has been left out of the squad for the two fixtures on 13 and 17 November, extending his absence from the national team to almost two years. His omission has surprised supporters and journalists in Morocco, prompting head coach Mohamed Ouahbi to address the midfielder’s situation three times during his news conference.
Harit’s exclusion was initially put down to competition for places and Ouahbi’s desire to give greater responsibility to emerging players.
“Today, on the right, we have players who have proved themselves with the national team or who are performing well at club level. They are players we want to give more continuity to,” Ouahbi said.
He also highlighted the potential of younger members of his squad, including Gessime Yassine and Ayoub Oufkir, who has received his first call-up.
“We have prioritised young players who have great potential and are already performing well,” Ouahbi added.
The explanation did not settle the issue, however, and the coach was questioned twice more about Harit. The Marseille player can also operate centrally or on the left, where Morocco have options affected by injuries.
Ouahbi again defended his decision to pursue a generational change, saying he wanted to create opportunities for several young players in those positions. He suggested that delaying their integration could make it more difficult to introduce them before the next Africa Cup of Nations.
That approach has divided opinion among Morocco supporters. Harit has scored three goals and provided one assist for Olympique de Marseille in the league this season, leading some to question why he remains out of contention while players with a similar profile, such as Amine Sbai, continue to receive the coach’s backing despite having less experience at the highest level of European football.
The debate has also raised questions over whether Harit’s absence is purely a sporting and generational decision, or whether team management and his compatibility with the current group may also be factors.
At 29, Harit is not approaching the end of his career. His current form, along with experience in Ligue 1, the Bundesliga and European competitions, could offer Morocco valuable options at a time when injuries have reduced their attacking resources.
However, Ouahbi’s repeated explanations point to a clear preference for younger players whom he wants to establish as part of his long-term project. Unlike Youssef En-Nesyri, who was recalled after withdrawals in his position, Harit remains outside the coach’s plans.
Unless the situation changes, a return to the Morocco squad appears unlikely while Ouahbi remains in charge.