Morocco's Journey Begins Against Gabon in CAN 2027 Qualifiers
On September 25, 2026, the Moroccan national football team, known as the Lions of the Atlas, will kick off their campaign in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) against Gabon at the Complexe Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. This match marks their first official appearance since the 2026 World Cup, and Coach Mohamed Ouahbi's squad is eager to start on a positive note, despite facing several key player absences. Following this match, the team will travel to South Africa to face Lesotho on Tuesday, September 29.
The Lions of the Atlas are grouped with Niger and Lesotho in the qualification round, making this home match crucial for setting a solid foundation for their campaign. The team will look to build momentum ahead of their upcoming away game against the Crocodiles of Lesotho. Coach Ouahbi has called up 29 players for this international window, including the return of Nayef Aguerd and several promising young talents like Soufiane El-Faouzi, Yassir Zabiri, Tawfik Bentayeb, and Abdellah Ouazane.
Key Players and Match Expectations
However, Morocco will have to cope with notable absences. Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari are suspended for this match, while Ayoub El Kaabi and Chadi Riad are sidelined due to injuries. Additionally, Brahim Diaz, who missed the last training session due to some muscular discomfort, is also uncertain for the game. In a last-minute decision, Coach Ouahbi has summoned Ilias Akhomach from Villarreal to reinforce the attacking options.
In their final training session before the qualifiers, the team focused on possession exercises, small-sided games, and passing drills to refine their tactics. The objective was to finalize preparations without overexerting the players. This session also showcased the smooth integration of the new players into the team environment, aided by the more experienced members who play a supportive role both on and off the pitch.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emphasized the joy of reuniting under the national jersey shortly after their World Cup journey. "Thank God, the players arrived in good condition. We are truly excited to return to the national team, especially in front of our fans. We are genuinely very happy," he stated. Bounou is well aware that the match against Gabon will not be an easy one, recalling past encounters where Gabon has challenged the Lions. "It will be an intense match. Gabon is not an ordinary opponent, as they have always posed problems for us in both qualifiers and the Africa Cup," he warned.
On the Gabonese side, this match comes at a turbulent time, particularly following the international retirement of their iconic captain and striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. This encounter will allow Coach Ouahbi's men to establish the groundwork for their qualification campaign before heading to South Africa.
The final phase of the CAN-2027 is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Fans can catch the Morocco vs Gabon match live on Friday, September 25, at 19:00 (Moroccan time) on Arryadia TNT, beIN Sports MENA 3, or TOD TV.
As reported by sport.le360.ma.
