Issa Diop ready for first African away test as Morocco face Lesotho

Morocco defender Issa Diop says he is excited to experience his first away match on African soil when the Atlas Lions take on Lesotho in the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday.

The match in Bloemfontein, South Africa, will be a new experience for Diop, who revealed that he has never previously played an away fixture in Africa.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the Moroccan international acknowledged the difficulties that can come with playing away from home on the continent but insisted he is ready for the challenge.

“This is my first time in South Africa, and it will be my first away match in Africa. While it is a new experience for me, I am very excited about the challenge, as we know that away games in Africa can be difficult,” Diop said.

“I hope we can show our best form tomorrow to manage the match well.”

Diop believes Morocco’s familiarity with their technical staff will also help the players deal with the different conditions they could encounter in Tuesday’s encounter.

According to the defender, the coaching staff’s knowledge of the squad means the players have been provided with the necessary information to prepare for the game.

“It is easier for us to adapt because we have a staff that knows all the players very well and, consequently, knows how to provide us with all the information we need,” he explained.

Morocco head into the encounter with confidence after winning their opening Group A fixture, while Lesotho are searching for their first points after suffering a narrow defeat to Niger.

Despite the contrasting starts, Diop insists Morocco are not taking anything for granted and believes the team must maintain its focus throughout the contest.

“As the coach said, we have no excuses; we are very well prepared, and we hope to secure a victory in this match,” he added.

The Atlas Lions will be looking to strengthen their position at the top of Group A with another positive result, while Lesotho will hope home advantage in Bloemfontein can help them produce a strong response.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday in Bloemfontein, South Africa, with the two sides battling for valuable points in the race for qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.