Hakimi reaches 20-assist landmark as Morocco extend home winning run

Achraf Hakimi became the first Morocco player to reach 20 international assists in the 21st century as the Atlas Lions beat Niger 5-1 in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying round in Casablanca on Friday.

The Paris Saint-Germain full-back scored twice at Stade Mohammed V and created another goal for Youssef En-Nesyri as Morocco made it 16 consecutive home wins in Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying matches.

The latest victory also strengthened Morocco’s position at the top of Group A, where they have nine points from three matches. Gabon are second on six points, Niger are third with three and Lesotho are bottom without a point.

Hakimi opened his account in the 27th minute with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area, having already contributed to Morocco’s attacking pressure from right-back.

He added his second in the third minute of first-half added time, striking from distance with a free-kick after Niger had missed the chance to level the match from the penalty spot.

Niger’s Youssef Ali Omar failed to convert in the 45th minute, while Mohamed Abdelrahman had reduced the deficit in the 41st minute after Yassir Zabiri gave the hosts an early lead.

Zabiri’s fourth-minute goal came after a pass from Brahim Diaz and gave Morocco the perfect start. However, Abdelrahman’s response ensured the visitors remained in contention before Hakimi restored the two-goal advantage moments before the interval.

Hakimi then turned provider in the 77th minute, setting up En-Nesyri to make it 4-1. Ayoub Oufkir completed the scoring in the 90th minute.

The full-back’s latest performance continues a particularly productive spell for both club and country. He has been involved in nine goals across his past five matches for Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco, scoring five and providing four assists.

His influence has helped establish him as one of the most important attacking players in Morocco’s history, despite playing primarily as a defender.

According to French statistics outlet Stats Foot, Morocco’s victory extended their best-ever run of home successes in qualifying for the continent’s leading international tournament and the World Cup. The sequence now stands at 16 matches.

The result is another indication of Morocco’s improvement in recent years, during which they have become a leading force in African football and established themselves among the world game’s prominent sides.