Wahbi's First Match as Morocco's Coach Ends in a Draw
In an engaging international friendly held at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, newly appointed coach Mohamed Wahbi began his journey at the helm of the Moroccan national football team with a commendable 1-1 draw against Ecuador. This match served as a preparatory encounter ahead of the upcoming World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada during the summer of 2026. The game was played on March 27, 2026, marking a significant moment for Wahbi as he steps into this prominent role following the departure of his predecessor, Walid Regragui.
The match commenced with Ecuador taking the lead early in the second half, thanks to a goal from midfielder John Yeboa, who plays for Venezia in Italy, scoring in the 48th minute. However, Morocco showcased resilience, with Roma's midfielder Nail Al-Ainawi equalizing in the 88th minute, compensating for his missed penalty kick earlier in the match at the 62-minute mark.
This match also marked Morocco's first outing since their controversial final in the Africa Cup of Nations, where they fell to Senegal in an intense match, losing 0-1 after extra time. The game had seen a chaotic finish, with Senegal's players leaving the field following a contentious penalty decision that resulted in Ibrahim Dias missing a crucial penalty kick, alongside a disallowed goal for the Moroccan side just moments before the incident. Subsequently, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) deemed Senegal the loser of that match, leading them to appeal this decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Despite the challenges faced, including the missed penalty by Al-Ainawi, Wahbi relied on the core players who contributed to Morocco's previous successes, making only three changes to the lineup. Notably, he introduced Shadi Riyad from Crystal Palace, who returned from a lengthy injury, and Issa Diop from Fulham, who made his debut for the national team after changing his sports nationality. Also included was Rabi Hrimat from the Royal Army Club.
Reflecting on the match, Wahbi expressed satisfaction with the performance, stating, "I am pleased to play matches like today’s, knowing it would be challenging, especially against Ecuador, a strong team in the South American qualifiers that has triumphed over Argentina and Brazil. We played with determination and under significant pressure, and I am very content with the players' performance, even though we faced difficulties. We need to strengthen our play in depth, which we worked on in the second half, although we did not create many significant chances." He also emphasized the importance of their next match against Paraguay, stating their goal is to secure a victory while keeping the World Cup in mind.
The initial opportunities of the game came from Ecuador, with a free kick taken by Enner Valencia, a forward for Pachuca in Mexico, which was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou after a slight fumble. Other notable attempts included a powerful shot from Chelsea's Moisés Caicedo that narrowly missed the right post and a long-range effort by Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi that flew over the crossbar.
As both teams continue their preparations for the World Cup, this match represents a promising start for Wahbi and the Moroccan Lions, who are eager to build upon their previous achievements on the international stage.
As reported by mc-doualiya.com.
