Mohamed Ouahbi pleased as Morocco make winning start to AFCON qualifying

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi says he is satisfied with his side’s start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after the Atlas Lions collected six points from their opening two matches.

Morocco followed their 2-0 victory over Gabon in the opening round with another 2-0 win against Lesotho in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

The result gave Ouahbi more than just another three points. The match also allowed him to assess several players and continue working on the options available to him as Morocco’s qualifying campaign develops.

Ouahbi was particularly pleased with the way his players handled a difficult opponent. Lesotho defended in a compact shape, while the conditions required Morocco to show accuracy and patience when trying to create openings.

Despite the challenges, the Atlas Lions eventually secured another victory to maintain their perfect record after two matches.

“We have the six points, that’s important. The objective was to start well. Of course, there are many positive things and things in which we still need to improve and progress. We are satisfied with the trip,” he said in comments relayed by Le 360 ​​Sport.

For Ouahbi, the opening two matches have also formed part of a wider process. The Morocco coach wants the coming fixtures to provide opportunities for players who deserve more minutes while allowing him to assess different tactical options.

The victories over Gabon and Lesotho have given Morocco six points and placed them in a strong position after the opening two rounds.

However, Ouahbi’s focus is not only on the points already collected. He believes the team must continue developing and maintain its concentration as the qualifying campaign progresses.

The coach also sees future matches as opportunities to give more players valuable playing time and test different approaches. That process could help Morocco build greater depth within the squad while continuing their push through the qualifying campaign.

The victory in Bloemfontein therefore served two purposes for the Atlas Lions. It extended their winning start while giving the coaching staff another chance to assess the squad.

Morocco began the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Gabon before producing the same scoreline against Lesotho. They now have six points from two matches.

Ouahbi’s challenge will be to ensure the same level of concentration is maintained in the matches ahead, regardless of the opposition.

For now, the Morocco coach can take satisfaction from a perfect start, while knowing there is still room for his side to improve as the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign continues.