Morocco discover referees for crucial AFCON 2027 qualifying double-header

Morocco will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign with a September double-header against Gabon and Lesotho, with CAF confirming the referees for both fixtures.

South African official Abongile Tom has been appointed to referee Morocco’s opening Group A match against Gabon on 25 September at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 local time.

Four days later, the Atlas Lions will travel to South Africa to take on Lesotho at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. Cameroonian referee Abdou Abdel Mefire will oversee that encounter, which is scheduled for a 15:00 local-time kick-off.

Six points would give Morocco perfect start

Morocco are in Group A alongside Gabon, Niger and Lesotho, with the top two teams progressing to the 2027 AFCON finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The September fixtures could have a major influence on the group standings, particularly because Morocco will face one of their main rivals, Gabon, at home before travelling to South Africa.

Two victories would give the Atlas Lions six points from their opening two games and mathematically guarantee a top-two finish after the second matchday, irrespective of other results.

Gabon are expected to provide Morocco’s biggest challenge in the group, meaning a home victory would provide an important early advantage.

The qualifiers will resume in November with Morocco facing Niger twice before the Atlas Lions conclude their group campaign with two further matches in March 2027.

Morocco have dominated recent meetings with Gabon

The fixture against Gabon will renew a rivalry that has produced several memorable encounters.

Morocco won both of their meetings during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, first recording a 4-1 victory in Agadir in September 2024 before producing an even more emphatic 5-1 success in Franceville two months later.

The teams also drew 2-2 at the 2022 AFCON.

Overall, however, their head-to-head record is more evenly balanced, with Morocco recording 11 wins, four draws and six defeats in 21 meetings listed by 11v11.

Gabon will therefore be looking to respond after their heavy defeats in the previous qualifying campaign, while Morocco will aim to maintain their recent superiority.

Lesotho present a different challenge

Morocco have also enjoyed recent success against Lesotho, winning their two latest meetings.

The away fixture, however, could provide a different test because it will be played in Bloemfontein rather than Lesotho.

The Atlas Lions will also have only four days to recover from their home match against Gabon before facing their second opponent.

Morocco will be expected to take maximum points, but dropping points against Lesotho could increase the pressure on the team ahead of the remaining fixtures.

Tom returns to familiar fixture

Abongile Tom will be familiar with the Morocco-Gabon contest after taking charge of the same fixture in Franceville in November 2024.

Morocco won that match 5-1.

The South African has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2020 and has officiated at major African competitions, including the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the African Football League and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

He was also selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mefire, who was born in August 1996, will take charge of Morocco’s meeting with Lesotho.

The Cameroonian has experience in CAF and international competitions, including AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

Morocco target strong start to qualification

With six matches to play in the group, Morocco’s primary objective will be to finish among the top two and secure their place at the 2027 AFCON.

A perfect start against Gabon and Lesotho would put the Atlas Lions in a commanding position and ease the pressure ahead of the November fixtures.

The first test comes in Rabat on 25 September, when Morocco host Gabon before travelling to Bloemfontein four days later for their meeting with Lesotho.