Hamza Igamane looks set to be called up to the Morocco national team after bursting onto the scene at Rangers this season.
But the striker’s call up could come at the expense of one player Igamane himself describes as a ‘brother’ with Ayoub El Kaabi missing out through injury.
The Olympiacos striker is a player that Hamza Igamane rates highly but this season’s top scorer in the Europa League (7) looks set to miss Morocco’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Niger and Tanzania.
Reports have suggested that Igamane is set to be called up by Morocco in his place but at the time of writing the Atlas Lions are yet to officially announce the squad.
Now, Igamane has paid tribute to El Kaabi and describes the forward as an inspiration to young players from across Morocco.
Hamza Igamane hails Ayoub El Kaabi
Hamza Igamane has been subject to a special UEFA investigation ahead of Rangers’ Europa League clash with Fenerbahce.
As part of the governing body’s Magazine Show, journalists have gone to Igamane’s home town of Temara to explore the Moroccan striker’s roots.
The short video includes interviews with the 22-year-old striker’s former FAR Rabat manager, Fernando Da Cruz, and the man who discovered him, Soufiane Ringa.
Igamane himself is also interviewed and commented on Ayoub El Kaabi, citing the Olympiakos forward as an inspiration in his own career.
El Kaabi, 31, spent the bulk of his career in Morocco, having stints in China, Turkey and Qatar before earning a move to Europe with the Greeks in 2023.
In his first season, El Kaabi scored 33 goals for Olympiakos, including 11 in the Europa Conference League.
Amongst them included an extra time winner – and the only goal of the game – against Fiorentina in the Final.
Igamane has previously cited El Kaabi as an inspiration and did so again as everyone in Morocco, and Glasgow, awaits official communication over the nation’s latest squad.
”Ayoub El Kaabi is a role model that everyone can look up to,” said Igamane.
”One thing I can say is he’s a living example of ambition, determination and resolve.”
| Europa League 24/25 stats | Hamza Igamane | Ayoub El Kaabi |
| Appearances (starts) | 7 (4) | 8 (8) |
| Goals (xG) | 4 (1.07) | 7 (5.88) |
| Assists (xA) | 1 (0.63) | 0 (0.25) |
| Shots (on target) | 11 (6) | 27 (13) |
| Chances created | 7 | 7 |
| Successful passes (%) | 77 (72%) | 99 (67.8%) |
| Successful dribbles (%) | 12 (50%) | 2 (33.3%) |
| Duels won (%) | 34 (43.6%) | 30 (34.5%) |
| Touches (in opposition box) | 199 (18) | 231 (38) |
Rangers unlikely to meet Europa League top scorer again
Ayoub El Kaabi has sustained a muscle injury which has kept him out since the beginning of March and has threatened to derail Olympiacos’ European ambitions.
Going off late in a thumping 6-0 win over AEK Athens, the injury to El Kaabi is a monumental blow which is already being felt by Jose Luis Mendilibar’s team.
The 31-year-old hitman missed the shock 3-0 first leg defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League and isn’t likely to be available for the return.
Rangers know how effective El Kaabi can be, the striker rasping in a stunning goal in Rangers’ 1-1 Europa League draw with Olympiacos earlier in the season.
It will take a giant effort for Olympiacos to turn things around now, with Rangers on the opposite side of the Europa League draw and only able to meet the Greeks in the final.
Whilst the situation threatens to derail Olympiacos’ Euro campaign, it also looks set to hand an opportunity to Hamza Igamane with Morocco.
Igamane named playing with Morocco as a major target for 2025 and after an impressive few months at Rangers looks set to achieve his goal.
Rangers could also be about to fend off interest from La Liga in their star talent, Igamane reportedly being trailed by Sevilla ahead of next season.
