Morocco strengthen position at top of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group

Morocco moved closer to qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after hosting Niger at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca on Friday, 13 November.

Mohamed Ouahbi’s side began the third round of Group A fixtures as leaders after winning their opening two matches. They beat Gabon 2-0 before recording the same result away to Lesotho, leaving them with six points, four goals scored and none conceded.

Gabon had temporarily drawn level on points earlier in the evening by beating Lesotho 2-0, but Morocco remained ahead on goal difference.

Ouahbi was without several key players because of injury. Azzedine Ounahi, Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi, Ayoub El Kaabi and Chadi Riad were all unavailable.

Oussama Targhalline therefore started in midfield, while Bilal El Khannouss was selected as the number 10 and Yassir Zabiri led the attack. Ayoub Oufkir was eligible to play but began on the bench, alongside Youssef En-Nesyri.

Morocco broke the deadlock when Ouazane worked his way into the left side of the penalty area. Oufkir arrived at the far post to power the ball into an empty net, scoring on his first appearance for the national team. The young AZ Alkmaar player made an immediate impact on his debut.

Niger goalkeeper Tandja and a defender then combined to keep out two efforts after a cross from En-Nesyri. Another Morocco attempt from the right was blocked inside the area, while a further opportunity produced no danger for the Mena.

Belahyane later released Achraf Hakimi, who delivered the ball into the centre for En-Nesyri. The forward finished like a classic penalty-box striker to extend Morocco’s advantage.

Belahyane replaced Targhalline, while Oufkir made his first international appearance after coming on for Ez Abde. En-Nesyri also entered the game in place of Zabiri.

The Al-Ittihad striker appeared to score with a header from an Ez Abde cross shortly after coming on, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

A Manchester-based player was subsequently replaced by El Karouani after beginning to show signs of frustration. Niger made two changes of their own, with Moutari and Sosah making way for Kader and Soumana.

Niger, coached by Algerian Nabil Neghiz, had taken three points from their opening match by beating Lesotho 2-1. They then lost 2-0 to Gabon and went into the match against Morocco third in the group with three points.

Neghiz previously served as Vladimir Petkovic’s assistant at the 2026 World Cup. Niger were seeking an upset against the group favourites, but their home arrangements have been complicated by the lack of a CAF-approved stadium. As a result, both of their fixtures against Morocco are being played in Morocco, with the second scheduled for 17 November in Rabat.