Morocco 1-1 Mali: Sahabi highlights three positives and three concerns

Morocco ended their international period with a 1-1 draw against Mali at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Sunday, with former Wydad Casablanca manager Fouad Sahabi identifying Abde Ezzalzouli, Yassine Bounou and Azzedine Ounahi as the team’s main positives.

The friendly gave Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi an opportunity to assess several players ahead of the national side’s next fixtures. The hosts took the lead through Ezzalzouli’s 33rd-minute penalty, but Mali equalised in the second half.

In an analysis for Africafoot, Sahabi also expressed reservations about the performances of Anass Salah-Eddine, Issa Diop and Ismael Saibari.

Ezzalzouli provides a threat

Sahabi regarded Ezzalzouli as one of Morocco’s most effective players during the match. The winger repeatedly sought to unsettle the Mali defence through his movement, acceleration and willingness to take on opponents.

His performance gave Morocco an additional option against a compact defensive unit, while his work in the final third was rewarded when he won a penalty and then converted it himself in the 33rd minute.

Bounou offers reassurance

Yassine Bounou was another player to earn praise from Sahabi. Although Morocco conceded after the interval, the former coach considered the goalkeeper’s display calm and dependable.

Sahabi said Bounou should not be blamed for Mali’s equaliser, highlighting the goalkeeper’s experience and contribution to Morocco’s performance.

Ounahi shows promise

Azzedine Ounahi also made a positive impression, particularly in his involvement in Morocco’s build-up play and in linking midfield with the attack.

Sahabi pointed to a second-half move involving Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss as an encouraging example, although the sequence did not result in a goal. He nevertheless believes Ounahi must become more effective in the final third.

Three players fall short

Anass Salah-Eddine struggled to impose himself against a Mali side that relied heavily on physical strength and pressing. Sahabi felt the match offered the player useful lessons in positioning and in managing situations under pressure.

Issa Diop was also criticised for his handling of certain moments, particularly during Mali’s transitions. Sahabi identified problems with positioning and the management of space as the game progressed.

Ismael Saibari showed plenty of activity but did not produce enough end product to meet expectations. He tested the Mali goalkeeper with a powerful effort in the 19th minute and set up Neil El Aynaoui in the 27th, but his overall contribution was judged insufficient.

Sahabi believes Saibari needs to make better use of the spaces available to him when facing an organised defensive block.

Lessons for Morocco

Despite the draw, Sahabi viewed the fixture as a useful test for the Lions of the Atlas. His assessment broadly matched that of Ouahbi, who praised Morocco’s ability to retain possession while acknowledging weaknesses, including the spaces they allowed Mali to exploit and the need for greater attacking progress.

Morocco’s international period began with victories over Gabon and Lesotho in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying before the draw with Mali. The sequence allowed Ouahbi to examine several options and gather further information ahead of the team’s next commitments.