Niger target at least one point from Morocco double-header, says Nabil Neghiz

Niger manager Nabil Neghiz has set his side the target of taking at least one point from their two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Morocco in November.

The Mena will play both fixtures in Morocco, in Casablanca and Rabat, after failing to secure an approved home stadium. The matches will be the third and fourth rounds of qualifying.

Niger have not played a competitive home match in Niamey since beating Djibouti 7-2 on 15 November 2021 in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. The Stade du General Seyni-Kountche is being renovated, while plans for a new stadium are being considered for 2028.

For almost five years, Niger have therefore hosted matches at neutral venues and away from their home supporters.

The team faced a demanding schedule in September, beating Lesotho 2-1 in Accra, Ghana, on 25 September before losing 2-0 to Gabon in Franceville four days later.

“In September, we faced long journeys, had little time to recover and were able to train only a small amount,” Neghiz told Afrik-Foot. “Playing both matches in Morocco, in two cities only 90 kilometres apart, will be different. That is the advantage, even though we would have preferred to play in front of our own fans.”

Niger also met Morocco twice during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, losing 2-1 in Oujda and 5-0 in Rabat in 2025.

“Playing the best national team in Africa, a World Cup quarter-finalist, on their own ground will be difficult,” said Neghiz. “They are a very strong team. Players such as Brahim Diaz, Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari play for some of the best clubs in the world, including Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern.

“Morocco are formidable at home, but they are also strong away from home. We know what awaits us.”

Despite the gap between the teams, Neghiz believes Niger can challenge the expected order in Group qualifying. Niger have not reached a Nations Cup finals tournament since the 2013 edition in South Africa.

“Morocco and Gabon are the favourites, but we must have objectives,” he said. “Before the final two matchdays in March, we should aim to take at least one point against the Atlas Lions.

“We know it will be difficult and that we will not have much possession, but we must manage Morocco’s periods of pressure, as well as our own.”

Niger have shown they can produce strong performances despite their enforced exile, winning 2-1 in Ghana in 2024 and recording 1-0 victories in Tanzania and Zambia in 2025.

Neghiz, who will announce his squad on Saturday, accepts that Niger are individually weaker than Morocco. Rahim Alhassane of Bologna and Konnan N’Dri of Lecce play in Serie A, while Oumar Sako is with Rostov in Russia and Ali Mohamed plays for Maccabi Haifa in Israel. Other squad members are based in Niger or in leagues in Lebanon, Albania, Luxembourg, Guinea and Bahrain.

“We know the Moroccans are superior, but we have technical, physical and mental qualities,” Neghiz added. “My players are proud to wear their country’s shirt and give everything in every match.”