Yassine Bounou reaches 100 appearances for Morocco in Niger victory

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has made his 100th appearance for the national team, becoming the third most-capped player in the country’s football history.

The 34-year-old reached the milestone on Friday during Morocco’s 5-1 victory over Niger in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca.

Bounou’s latest appearance takes him into an exclusive group of Moroccan players who have represented the country at least 100 times.

He now sits third on the national team’s all-time appearance list, behind former defender Noureddine Naybet, who made 115 appearances, and current captain Achraf Hakimi, who has earned 104 caps.

The achievement reflects Bounou’s consistency and importance to the Atlas Lions over the years, having established himself as one of the team’s most reliable players.

His experience between the posts has made him a key figure in Morocco’s recent success, with his performances playing an important role in the team’s progress on the international stage.

One of the defining moments of his international career came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he helped Morocco reach the semi-finals.

The Atlas Lions made history at the tournament by becoming the first African nation to reach the last four of a men’s World Cup.

Bounou was particularly impressive throughout the competition, producing important saves as Morocco defeated several established football nations on their way to the semi-finals.

His performances in Qatar further strengthened his reputation and underlined his value to the national team.

Reaching 100 international appearances is another significant achievement for the goalkeeper, whose longevity and consistency have kept him among Morocco’s leading players.

With Naybet and Hakimi the only players ahead of him on the appearance list, Bounou has further secured his place among the most influential figures in the history of Moroccan football.

The milestone also comes during Morocco’s campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with the goalkeeper continuing to play an important role as the team prepares for its upcoming fixtures.