Morocco to host Niger twice in November after venue troubles

Morocco will play both of its Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Niger at home in November after the visitors were unable to secure an approved stadium.

The two sides will meet on 13 November at Casablanca’s Complexe Mohammed V, before facing each other again on 17 November at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) confirmed the arrangements in a statement.

The fixtures are the third and fourth rounds of qualification for the tournament. Niger’s lack of a stadium approved to host international matches means Morocco will stage both games during the next international break.

Morocco had originally been expected to travel to Accra for the first match. That plan was abandoned after the Ghana Football Association (GFA) apologised to the Niger Football Federation for being unable to host the fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium, according to Moroccan newspaper Assabah.

Ghana’s football authorities reportedly explained that Ghana’s national team is due to play Somalia at the same venue on 13 November. The country’s under-23 side is also expected to use the stadium in connection with qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.

The Accra Sports Stadium is the only venue in Ghana authorised to stage international matches, leaving the GFA unable to offer an alternative location.

The Niger Football Federation (Fenifoot) then reportedly asked the Benin Football Federation (FBF) for permission to play the match at the Stade de l’Amitie in Cotonou. That request was not granted.

With those options unavailable, the FRMF is understood to have offered to host the fixture. Morocco will have 13 compliant stadiums available during the next international window, allowing it to accommodate both matches.

Morocco began its qualifying campaign with victories over Gabon and Lesotho in September. They won the opening game 2-0 against Gabon and followed it with a 2-0 victory away to Lesotho.

Those results leave the Atlas Lions alone at the top of Group A, with a three-point advantage over the team in second place.

Two further wins against Niger would put Mohamed Ouahbi’s side in a strong position to secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The eventual location of the tournament remains to be confirmed, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda set to host it jointly if the event goes ahead there.