AZ's Oufkir, Netherlands U21 starter, called up for Morocco

The 20-year-old AZ midfielder received his first Morocco call-up, pulling him from Netherlands U21's crucial Denmark playoff later this month.

AZ Alkmaar midfielder Ayoub Oufkir has been called up to the Morocco national team for the first time by coach Mahomed Ouahbi. The 20-year-old Rotterdam-born player was a regular starter for the Netherlands U21 side, playing 90 minutes in their European Championship qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina in early October.

Oufkir's selection is a blow to Michael Reiziger, the Netherlands U21 coach, as the midfielder will miss the crucial playoff against Denmark later this month. Instead, Oufkir will play two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for Morocco against Niger.

Other Eredivisie players called up include Feyenoord's Oussama Targhalline and Ajax talent Abdellah Ouazane. Ajax midfielder Sofyan Amrabat recently declined a Morocco call-up, refusing to play under Ouahbi.