The national team ended its international break with a 1-1 draw against Mali on Sunday, October 4 at the Grand Stade de Tanger, after holding the lead for much of the match. The Eagles eventually found the equalizer in the second half.
The Atlas Lions therefore finish the international window with two wins against Gabon and Lesotho and a draw against Mali, a result that costs Morocco one place in the FIFA ranking, with the national team dropping to sixth in the world.
After two 2-0 victories over Gabon and Lesotho in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Atlas Lions faced Mali this Sunday for their final match of the international break. Mohamed Ouahbi’s men were held to a 1-1 draw by the Eagles in the friendly at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
Against Mali, Ouahbi once again reshuffled his starting lineup, making several changes from the teams fielded in the first two matches of the break.
Absent against Lesotho, Nayef Aguerd returned to central defense alongside Issa Diop. Ali Maamar started on the right, while Anass Salah-Eddine was deployed on the left.
In midfield, the national team coach opted for Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Azzedine Ounahi. Up front, Ismaël Saibari played as the central striker, with Bilal El Khannouss on the right and Abde Ezzalzouli on the left.
Mali threatened as early as the third minute on a counterattack. Mamadou Doumbia was played in behind the Moroccan defense and found himself in a good position, but Yassine Bounou stayed alert to clear the danger.
With play largely concentrated in midfield, the Atlas Lions had to wait until the 19th minute for their first real chance. Found inside the box, Saibari tried a low shot that was saved by the Malian goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, after a good collective move, Saibari found Ounahi inside the area. The Moroccan midfielder beat a defender before attempting a cross-shot that found neither Abde Ezzalzouli nor the target.
Mali responded on the counter, with Doumbia coming close to opening the scoring but failing to connect with a dangerous cross from a teammate.
The Atlas Lions gradually took control of the match and increased the pressure, although they initially struggled to break down a well-organized Malian defense.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 32nd minute. Mauritanian referee Abdelaziz Bouh awarded Morocco a penalty after a foul on Abde Ezzalzouli inside the area. The Moroccan winger stepped up to take the spot kick and gave the Atlas Lions the lead (1-0).
Four minutes before halftime, Abde Ezzalzouli came close to scoring a second. Perfectly set up by Ounahi, the Moroccan forward found himself in a good position but his effort went wide.
Mali step up the pressure after the break
Mali returned from halftime with more attacking intent, looking to take control of the match and put greater pressure on the Moroccan defense. The Atlas Lions dropped deeper and tightened their lines. The Moroccan block remained well organized and contained the Malians without allowing a clear chance in front of Bounou’s goal.
With less possession, the national team nevertheless looked to exploit the spaces left by Mali and move quickly forward, but initially struggled to seriously trouble the Malian goalkeeper.
Around the hour mark, the Atlas Lions had a good opportunity to double their lead. Ounahi broke forward on the counter and accelerated in an attempt to get past two Malian defenders. They managed to catch up with him, but the ball fell to El Khannouss, who immediately took a shot. The Malian goalkeeper saved and turned the ball behind for a corner.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli lors de l'amical face au Mali, le 4 octobre au Grand Stade de Tanger.
Ouahbi then brought fresh attacking options into the game. Soufiane Rahimi and Brahim Diaz came on for Abde Ezzalzouli and Ismaël Saibari in an effort to add more pace and depth to Morocco’s attack.
Mali refused to give up. In the 68th minute, Gaoussou Diarra found himself in a good position and sent a scare through the Moroccan defense, but his effort went wide of Bounou’s goal.
Ousmane Camara then tried his luck with a powerful effort from outside the box. Bounou remained alert and pushed the ball away for a corner.
Mali eventually found the equalizer in the 76th minute. From a well-executed free kick from the left, substitute Gaoussou Diarra connected with the ball with his left foot and sent a superb effort into the top corner of Bounou’s goal, leaving the Moroccan goalkeeper with no chance. The Eagles drew level at 1-1.
The Atlas Lions therefore end the international break with two wins and a draw. After making a perfect start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with victories over Gabon (2-0) and Lesotho (2-0), Ouahbi’s men were unable to make it three wins in a row against Mali (1-1).
The draw also costs Morocco one place in the FIFA ranking, with the national team dropping to sixth in the world.
The Atlas Lions’ next appointment comes in November, with a double-header against Niger on the third and fourth matchdays of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
