Morocco maintain perfect start as Azzedine Ounahi earns Faouzi Jamal’s top rating

Morocco made it two wins from two in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Lesotho in Bloemfontein on Tuesday afternoon.

The result moved the Atlas Lions to six points and kept them at the top of their group. Former Morocco international and national league coach Faouzi Jamal highlighted Azzedine Ounahi as the outstanding performer, while identifying three players whose contributions fell below expectations.

Jamal’s assessment was provided to Africafoot after he reviewed the performances of Morocco’s players during the match.

Ounahi leads the top three

Ounahi was named player of the match by Jamal, who felt the midfielder delivered an all-round performance combining energy, technical quality and the ability to unsettle Lesotho’s defensive structure.

His acceleration, dribbling and movement between the lines repeatedly created openings, according to Jamal. Ounahi was also consistently available during Morocco’s build-up play and showed good quality in possession.

The midfielder’s willingness to move forward was another feature of his display. His performance was capped by Morocco’s second goal in the 82nd minute, which Jamal viewed as a fitting reward for one of the team’s most complete individual performances.

Noussair Mazraoui was second in Jamal’s ranking. The defender was praised for providing balance to the side, carrying out his defensive duties while remaining involved in attacking moves.

Jamal also pointed to Mazraoui’s composure, technical ability and movement to offer passing options during Morocco’s build-up. His work on the flank helped the team sustain pressure on Lesotho.

Brahim Diaz completed the former international’s top three. The Real Madrid player opened the scoring in the 45th minute, giving Morocco the lead just before half-time.

Jamal identified Diaz’s ability to deliver in important moments as one of his key strengths. The goal took Diaz’s total against Lesotho for Morocco to five. He had scored in the first meeting on 9 September 2024 and then completed a hat-trick in the return fixture on 18 November the same year, a match Morocco won 7-0.

Three players below expectations

Ismael Saibari topped Jamal’s list of Morocco’s least effective performers. Returning after serving a suspension, the attacker had limited influence in the final third and was too quiet for much of the game.

Jamal believes Saibari possesses the technical qualities to make a greater difference in attacking areas, making his display against Lesotho less effective than expected.

Neil El Aynaoui was also included in the bottom three. The midfielder, according to Jamal, had little impact on Morocco’s construction of attacks or their control of the tempo. Despite Morocco’s territorial dominance, he felt El Aynaoui did not make enough use of the space available to him.

Abde Ezzalzouli, who came on early in the second half, completed the list. Jamal said the winger did not provide his usual attacking impact, with his pace and ability in one-on-one situations not used effectively against Lesotho’s defensive block.

Morocco leave the match with a second successive win, six points and an established position at the top of the group. Jamal’s analysis nevertheless identified a need for greater attacking efficiency, particularly after the chances missed in the game.