Morocco Secures Dominant 5-1 Victory Over Niger in Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier

Morocco defeated Niger with a score of 5-1 on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca. The match was part of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification process. Morocco's victory was fueled by a multi-goal performance from Achraf Hakimi and an early strike from Yassir Zabiri. While Niger managed to score one goal through Mohamed Abdourahmane in the 41st minute, Morocco's offensive pressure remained consistent throughout the game.

Match Highlights and Player Milestones

The Moroccan team established an early lead when Yassir Zabiri scored in the 4th minute. Achraf Hakimi then doubled the lead in the 27th minute and added a second goal in the 45+3rd minute. Although Mohamed Abdourahmane scored for Niger in the 41st minute to narrow the gap, Morocco responded strongly in the second half. Youssef En-Nesyri scored in the 77th minute, and Ayoub Oufkir added a final goal in the 90th minute to finalize the 5-1 scoreline.

A significant milestone occurred during the match as Yassine Bounou played his 100th match for the Moroccan national team. The Moroccan national team coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, stated that "the immediate goal is to win both matches, but the gathering is also an opportunity to explore new tactical options and give more playing time to youth."

Group A Standings and Tournament Context

Following this result, Morocco leads Group A with 9 points from three wins. Gabon occupies second place in the group with 6 points. Niger sits in third place with 3 points, while Lesotho is in fourth place with 0 points. The Niger squad, managed by Nabil Neghiz, consisted of 25 players for this fixture.

Single-source reports indicate that Niger lacks a certified stadium. This situation has forced the Niger team to play both of their scheduled matches against Morocco on Moroccan soil. The Nigerien squad included nine players from local clubs.

Squad Changes and Upcoming Fixture

The Moroccan squad list was unveiled last Wednesday in Salé. According to single-source information, Neil El Aynaoui was released from the squad due to an ankle injury following medical evaluations on Tuesday. Samir El Mourabet was called up to replace Neil El Aynaoui in the lineup.

Morocco will face Niger again on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. This upcoming match will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.