Morocco’s A’ national team concluded their pre-Arab Cup preparations with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Djibouti at Kenitra Municipal Stadium, signaling their intent to compete for the title in Qatar this December.
Tarik Tissoudali, making his debut under coach Tarik Sektioui, stole the spotlight with a first-half brace and a second-half goal, completing a remarkable hat-trick.
The 32-year-old forward, who already has 14 caps and two goals for Morocco’s senior national team, opened the scoring in the 17th minute, doubled the advantage six minutes later, and completed his treble in the 50th minute.
“I’m delighted to contribute to the team and help us build confidence ahead of the Arab Cup,” Tissoudali said after the match.
The rout was completed by Youssef Mehri, who scored just before halftime in the 41st minute, followed by Marwan Saadane in the 60th minute, and captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, who sealed the victory in the 70th minute.
Morocco’s disciplined performance showcased both their attacking prowess and defensive stability, with Djibouti rarely threatening the Red and Green backline.
Having lifted the CHAN (African Nations Championship) trophy in August, Morocco A’ is now aiming to achieve a historic double by claiming the Arab Cup.
Coach Sektioui praised his squad’s preparation and attitude, noting that “matches like this allow us to test our tactics and build chemistry. Every player delivered, and the team showed it is ready for the challenges ahead.”
The Atlas Lions will begin their Arab Cup campaign against the winner of the Comoros-Yemen preliminary fixture on December 2nd at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
فوز كبير لمنتخبنا الوطني الرديف أمام منتخب دجيبوتي
A strong win for our Morocco A’ National Team in their friendly match 💪🏻#DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/TebkSswJPb
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) November 15, 2025
Their second group match is scheduled for December 5th at Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan against either Oman or Somalia, with the group stage concluding against Saudi Arabia on December 8th at Lusail Stadium.
Analysts have highlighted Morocco A’’s blend of youth and experience as a key strength, with players like Tissoudali offering leadership while providing attacking flair.
The team’s clinical finishing against Djibouti, coupled with solid defensive organization, sets a strong precedent as they enter a competitive group featuring varied playing styles.
With momentum firmly on their side, Morocco A’ enters the Arab Cup confident and focused, seeking to cement their growing dominance in regional competitions.
The comprehensive friendly win has not only boosted morale but also offered the coaching staff valuable insights into formations and player combinations ahead of the tournament kickoff.
