Morocco target another clean-sheet win against Lesotho in AFCON qualifier

Morocco will look to make it two wins from two in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying when they face Lesotho at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. The Atlas Lions travelled to South Africa after a technical stopover in Douala, Cameroon, while Lesotho are still searching for their first points after losing to Niger on Friday.

Morocco began Group A with a 2-0 victory over Gabon in Rabat. Noussair Mazraoui, the Manchester United defender, opened the scoring in the 36th minute before Soufiane Rahimi secured the points six minutes from time.

The result extended Morocco’s strong record in continental qualifying. The hosts of the last Africa Cup of Nations, whose title was awarded to them by CAF on a walkover, are aiming to reach the finals again and pursue a third continental triumph after their 1976 success.

Morocco completed the previous qualifying campaign with six wins from six matches in a group that also included Lesotho. They scored eight goals across their two meetings with the Crocodiles, winning 1-0 away before recording a comprehensive 7-0 victory in the return fixture. They will hope for another convincing display as they seek to remain top of a group which also contains Niger.

Lesotho, by contrast, suffered a 2-1 defeat in Niger in their opening match. Daniel Sosah and Oumar Sako scored twice in the final seven minutes of the first half before Sera Motebang pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.

That result extended Lesotho’s difficult run to two successive defeats and just one victory in their past seven matches, alongside three draws and three losses. In the previous AFCON qualifying campaign, they finished bottom of their group after scoring only two goals and conceding 13, with more than half of those goals coming against Morocco.

Lesotho have no reported injury concerns following the defeat by Niger. The same squad is expected to start, with Motebang leading the attack and captain Sekhoane Moerane in goal behind a five-man defence.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari return after serving CAF suspensions in the win over Gabon. Yassir Zabiri is expected to lead the attack, although Mohamed Ouahbi remains without Ayoub El Kaabi, Chadi Riad, Youssef Belammari, Youssef En-Nesyri and Hamza Igamane because of injuries.

Probable teams

Lesotho: Moerane; Falene, Makhetha, Makhele, Mokokoane, Koaeane; Mokhachane, Toloane, Fethoane, Sefali; Motebang.

Morocco: Bounou; Mazraoui, Aguerd, Diop, Maamar; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Yassine, Ounahi, Ezzalzouli; Zabiri.

Morocco’s greater technical quality, Saibari’s return and their attacking threat are expected to prove decisive against a Lesotho side struggling for goals and vulnerable in defence. The forecast is for a 3-0 Morocco victory, with the correct-score market priced at 5.80. Other listed selections are Morocco to win without conceding at 1.35 and more than 2.5 goals at 1.25.