Lesotho 0-2 Morocco: Brahim Díaz and Azzedine Ounahi secure AFCON qualifying win

Morocco moved to a 2-0 victory over Lesotho in Match Round 2 of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, with Brahim Díaz opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time before Azzedine Ounahi added a second in the 82nd minute.

Lesotho

• T. Makhele (6.52)
• Neo Mokhachane (6.42)
• T. Letsema (5.98)

Morocco

• Yassine Bounou (7)
• Zakaria El Ouahdi (6.88)
• Issa Laye Lucas Jean Diop (6.88)
• Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (6.82)
• Noussair Mazraoui (7.16)
• Oussama Targhalline (7.2)
• Neil El Aynaoui (7.14)
• Brahim Díaz (7.8)
• Azzedine Ounahi (8.2)
• Bilal El Khannouss (7.6)
• I. Saibari (6.45)

Substitutions:

Lesotho

• T. Letsema

Morocco

• Neil El Aynaoui (Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, 68)
• Noussair Mazraoui (A. Hakimi, 69)
• Brahim Díaz (Soufiane Rahimi, 69)
• I. Saibari (T. Bentayeb, 84)
• Azzedine Ounahi (Soufian El-Faouzi, 84)

Ball possession:

Díaz’s goal gave Morocco the advantage at the interval after a closely fought first half. Lesotho worked hard to contain their opponents and produced 14 interceptions, but Morocco’s quality eventually told as the visitors secured a composed away win.

Passes:

Ounahi, who was Morocco’s most active player in front of goal, made the result safe 10 minutes from time. The midfielder also recorded two blocks, underlining his contribution at both ends of the pitch.

Defense:

Díaz breaks Lesotho resistance

Lesotho defended with determination for much of the opening period, limiting Morocco’s clear opportunities and making a number of important defensive interventions.

Face-to-face:

The home side’s leading player for interceptions made four, while Lesotho collectively registered 14. Morocco made six interceptions, with Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal leading their defensive efforts with two.

Fouls:

• Yellow cards:
• Oussama Targhalline (Morocco) at 73 minute
• Soufiane Rahimi (Morocco) at 85 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Lesotho – LLW
• Morocco – W

Top 5 Africa Cup of Nations – Qualification scorers:

1. None (2, Mauritius)
2. Hazem Mastouri (2, Tunisia)
3. A. Hadj-Moussa (1, Algeria)
4. Azzedine Ounahi (1, Morocco)
5. A. Tosin (1, Benin)

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Lesotho will play with Gabon. November 11 at 17:00 (GMT), on None.
• Morocco will play with Niger. November 11 at 17:00 (GMT), on None.