Morocco to face Central African Republic in crucial AFCON 2025 qualifiers
Morocco’s national football team is set to take on the Central African Republic in back-to-back fixtures for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The matches are scheduled for Saturday, 12 October, and Tuesday, 15 October 2024, both taking place at the Stade d’Honneur in Oujda. Kick-off for both games is set at 8:00 PM local time.
These matches will form the third and fourth rounds of Group B qualification for the tournament, which is slated to be held in Morocco between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026.
The Atlas Lions are aiming to cement their position at the top of the group, having secured maximum points so far in their campaign.
Morocco currently leads Group B with six points after securing two decisive victories in their opening matches.
They first made an impressive start by overpowering Gabon with a commanding 4-1 victory, before edging out Lesotho 1-0 in their second game.
The results have put the Atlas Lions in a dominant position as they head into this crucial double-header.
The team, managed by head coach Walid Regragui, is seen as one of the favourites not only to top their group but also to go far in the final tournament, which will be hosted on home soil.
The Moroccan squad boasts a wealth of talent, including stars who have made their mark on both the African and European football stages.
Meanwhile, the Central African Republic is currently tied for second place in the group alongside Gabon, both on three points.
While they may not be regarded as one of the heavyweights of African football, the Central African Republic has shown they are capable of upsetting bigger teams, and they will be eager to prove their credentials in these two fixtures against Morocco.
Having already secured a win in the group, they will approach the double-header with optimism and the hope of causing an upset.
Their performance in these matches will be crucial to their chances of advancing to the next stage of the competition, making these encounters pivotal for both sides.
With the top teams from each group securing their spots in the AFCON tournament, Morocco will be aiming to maintain their flawless record in the qualifiers and take a significant step closer to booking their place in the competition.
For the Central African Republic, the matches represent an opportunity to close the gap and challenge Morocco for the top spot in the group.
The two fixtures are expected to attract significant attention, especially given Morocco’s role as tournament hosts.
The Atlas Lions will be keen to continue their strong form and build momentum heading into the final stages of the qualification campaign.
Group B Standings So Far:
1. Morocco– 6 points
2. Central African Republic – 3 points
3. Gabon – 3 points
4. Lesotho – 0 points
With the AFCON 2025 just over a year away, these qualifiers will be pivotal in shaping the road to the tournament and setting the stage for Africa’s biggest football event.
