Fresh Twist in Hakim Ziyech's International Career, Weeks After Moroccan Announced International Retirement

• The door is open for Hakim Ziyech to make a sensational return to international football with Morocco
• Ziyech announced his retirement in February after a fallout with Morocco head coach Vahid Halilhodzic
• However, FMRF president Fouzi Lekjaa says Ziyech should return to the squad ahead of the World Cup, despite the differences with the coach

Hakim Ziyech could still potentially make a stunning return to the Morocco national team despite announcing his retirement from international football.

The Chelsea winger was a notable absentee from Morocco’s squad for the Africa Cup of nations after a sensational fallout with coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

As a matter of fact, the 29-year-old has not featured for his country since June last year, with Halilhodzic accusing him of faking injuries to avoid international duty.

Morocco went on to crash out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the quarter-finals, losing 2-1 to finalists Egypt.

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There were signs that Ziyech could make a return to the national team after he was included by the FRMF in the preliminary squad for the 2022 World Cup play-off tie against DR Congo, which the Atlas Lions won 5-2 on aggregate.

FMRF president Fouzi Lekjaa also revealed at a board meeting this week that Ziyech is welcome back to the squad, despite his differences with the current manager.

"The doors of the national team are open to all Moroccan players, regardless of their differences," Lekjaa said as quoted by BBC.

"Nobody can stop a Moroccan player playing for the national team, whether it's Ziyech or anyone else."

Ziyech’s fallout with Halilhodzic

Halilhodzic has been critical of Ziyech in recent months, claiming the winger “lacks respect”. He also seemed to suggest the international saga involving the winger was “over” during the World Cup draw.

The coach, who was appointed in 2019, has earned his fair share of criticism in Morocco for the manner in which he handles some issues, despite guiding the nation to the World Cup via an unbeaten qualifier campaign.

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Morocco to battle Nigeria for signature of ex PSG coach

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has identified former Paris Saint-Germain manager, Laurent Blanc to fill the vacant managerial role for the Atlas Lions.

Morocco are ready to slug it out with the Nigeria Football Federation for the signature of the 1998 World Cup winner with France.

The NFF listed Blanc alongside Phillip Cocu, and Victor Valverde as the top three candidates they are considering taking over the vacant Super Eagles managerial role.