Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has set the stage for a challenging encounter against Gabon on Friday as the two teams meet in Franceville for the fifth round of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Regragui acknowledged the strength of Gabon, despite both sides already securing their places at next year’s tournament in Morocco.
“This is a great African selection,” Regragui said, underscoring the quality of Gabon’s squad.
While Morocco leads Group B with 12 points, Gabon trails in second place with seven.
Lesotho (four points) and the Central African Republic (three points) round out the standings.
Regragui noted that Morocco will face challenges in the game, particularly with injuries ruling out some key players. “Our goal is to face different challenges in each match.
This match will not be played at home, so our approach will be different,” he stated.
The coach also predicted a tightly contested game, drawing parallels with their first-leg meeting. “I expect a match like the first leg. Both teams will be looking for victory,” he added.
Morocco’s Road to Dominance
Morocco has enjoyed a flawless campaign in the qualifiers, showcasing their dominance in Group B.
Already assured of a spot in the tournament as hosts, the Atlas Lions remain focused on maintaining their momentum and testing their depth against top-tier opponents like Gabon.
The Gabonese, meanwhile, have shown resilience, securing their qualification despite trailing Morocco in the standings.
Friday’s game presents an opportunity for Gabon to assert themselves against the group leaders.
Squad Adjustments and Preparations
For the final two fixtures of the qualifiers, Regragui has called up a squad of 26 players.
With injuries limiting his options, the coach is expected to rotate and assess different combinations ahead of the tournament.
The match is set to kick off at 8 p.m. local time, with both teams aiming to strengthen their preparations for next year’s continental showpiece.
While the stakes may not be as high with qualification already secured, the clash promises to deliver a competitive and strategic battle as two of Africa’s footballing heavyweights go head-to-head.
