Friday, November 15, 2024 at 10:13 p.m.
Franceville (Gabon) – The Moroccan football selection largely dominated its counterpart from Gabon by 5 goals to 1, in a disputed match, Friday evening at the Franceville stadium, on behalf of the fifth day of group B of the Cup qualifiers of Nations (Morocco-2025).
After four victories in a row, the Atlas Lions, who had conceded only one goal since the start of these qualifiers, were dealing with a selection which was seeking both to make up for its last defeat in the first leg and above all celebrate with his supporters his qualification for the CAN.
For this first trip of the Atlas Lions, national coach Walid Regragui made some changes to the starting lineup, notably with the return of Yassine Bounou and Noussair Mazraoui, absent from the last match against the Central African Republic.
Thus, in defense, Regragui was able to count on Achraf Hakimi in his right lane and on Mazraoui as left back, while the central hinge was made up of Nayef Aguerd and Jamal Harkas.
In midfield, the national coach opted for Sofyan Amrabet and Azeddine Ounahi, while Brahim Diaz, Eliesse Bensghir and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli were responsible for offensive animation, just behind center forward Ayoub El Kaabi.
From the start of the match, the two selections did not hide their offensive intentions to reach the net in a “very open” match, as Walid Regragui promoted during the pre-match press conference.
Thus, the Gabonese will not take long to threaten the Moroccan defense after a missed pass from Hakimi who finds the attacker Aubameyang. Dénis Bouanga’s shot goes under the net.
A minute later, a well-wound shot from Dénis Bouanga this time found Bounou’s net. The second goal conceded by the Atlas Lions since the start of the qualifiers.
The speed of the Gabonese attackers could have made the difference once again when a behind-the-back pass from the Moroccan defense found the experienced Aubameyang finding the net, before the referee ruled out the goal for offence. game.
The reaction of the Atlas Lions will not take long, notably with a shot in the 9th minute from Elyesse Bensghir, pushed back by the Gabonese goalkeeper. Eight minutes later, a free kick taken by captain Hakimi found Jamal Harkas, who with a precise header equalized the score for Morocco.
In the 21st minute of play, Brahim Diaz scored the second goal for the Atlas Lions from a corner from Eliesse Ben Seghir, before the Madrid star returned two minutes later to score his double from a corner from the same Ben Seghir.
As half-time approached, the Gabonese tried to reach the Atlas Lions’ net, notably with a shot on target from striker Jim Allevinah, but goalkeeper Bounou pushed it away.
The good performance of the Atlas Lions will continue in the second half thanks in particular to the changes made by Regragui, which have given a new dynamic to the Moroccan offensive line.
Thus, Youssef En-Nesyri, who replaced Ayoub El Kaabi, scored the fourth goal for Morocco (81st) before the talented Ismael Saibari dribbled past the Gabonese defenders to record the fifth and final goal with art and style. of the Atlas Lions at 90 minutes of the game.
On behalf of the same group, Lesotho beat the Central African Republic (1-0) on Thursday.
At the end of this day, Morocco consolidates its place at the top of group B with 15 points obtained in five victories, ahead of Gabon, which validated its qualification for the CAN (7 units). Lesotho is third with 4 points, while Central Africa occupies the fourth and last place with 3 points.
Next Monday, Morocco will face Lesotho at the Oujda Stadium of Honor, for the 6th and final day of the qualifiers for the next CAN, which will take place from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 in Morocco.
