Morocco made it two wins from two in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after beating Lesotho 2-0 on Tuesday, September 29, at the Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Mohamed Ouahbi’s side controlled the game for long periods but had to wait until the latter stages to find the breakthrough.
After beating Gabon 2-0 in Rabat on Friday, Morocco went into the second match looking to collect another three points and strengthen its position at the top of the group. The team secured the desired result despite facing a well-organized Lesotho defense that made it difficult to create clear chances.
Ouahbi made six changes to the lineup that started against Gabon. Ismaël Saibari returned after serving a suspension following the incidents in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, while Brahim Diaz was also restored to the starting XI after missing the opening game with muscular pain.
In defense, Zakaria El Ouahdi replaced young Ali Maamar, while Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal made his first start alongside Issa Diop in central defense in the absence of Nayef Aguerd, who remained in Morocco to continue his rehabilitation at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
Oussama Targhalline was preferred to Ayyoub Bouaddi in midfield, while the attacking line featured Diaz, Saibari and Bilal El Khannouss, who returned to the starting XI after beginning the World Cup in that role. Gessime Yassine, Abde Ezzalzouli and Yassir Zabiri were left on the bench.
Morocco started cautiously and struggled to impose itself in the opening minutes, with the first corner coming in the ninth minute. Azzedine Ounahi took the set piece, but it failed to create danger inside the Lesotho penalty area.
Five minutes later, El Khannouss found Saibari in midfield. The Bayern Munich forward beat an opponent before seeing his shot blocked by a Lesotho defender. Targhalline recovered the ball and played it to Brahim Diaz, who attempted to send a through ball behind the defense, but no teammate reached it and the goalkeeper collected it.
Ounahi then tried his luck from outside the area in the 18th minute, but his powerful effort did not seriously trouble the Lesotho goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, Morocco built a promising attack down the left through Ounahi and El Khannouss. The attacking midfielder then cut the ball back toward El Ouahdi, but the right-back could not take advantage of the opportunity to open the scoring.
After nearly two minutes of sustained passing between the Moroccan players, Saibari eventually found Diaz. The attacking midfielder beat two defenders with a well-controlled touch before shooting with his left foot, but his effort went just wide of the top corner in the 26th minute.
Lesotho struggled to find a way through Morocco’s midfield and rarely threatened going forward. The hosts were nevertheless well organized defensively, making it difficult for Morocco to develop its attacks freely.
Diaz breaks the deadlock
Issa Diop came close to opening the scoring in the 35th minute after a free kick awarded following a foul won by Ounahi. The 29-year-old defender met the delivery with a header, but the ball went wide.
Five minutes later, Morocco built another well-worked attack, moving the ball from right to left. Noussair Mazraoui found Ounahi with an excellent pass, leaving the midfielder in a good position in front of goal, but his shot went well over the crossbar.
Morocco finally found the breakthrough through Brahim Diaz. Ounahi played a pass between the lines that was initially intended for Neil El Aynaoui, but the ball reached Diaz in an ideal position. The Real Madrid midfielder made no mistake, sending a left-footed finish into the net to give Morocco the lead.
Morocco continued to control proceedings after the break and created several opportunities, although Lesotho’s compact and disciplined defense continued to make life difficult for the visitors.
Ounahi seals the win
Ounahi attempted another long-range effort in the 56th minute, but his shot went well wide of the target.
Lesotho then won a free kick a few minutes later, but Morocco dealt with the delivery comfortably and prevented any danger inside the penalty area.
Ouahbi subsequently made three substitutions and changed his tactical setup, switching to a 4-4-2 diamond. Achraf Hakimi, Soufiane Rahimi and Abde Ezzalzouli came on for Noussair Mazraoui, who went off injured, Brahim Diaz and Neil El Aynaoui.
Morocco continued to create chances but lacked precision in the final phase, with several promising moves ending with poorly handled balls or inaccurate final actions.
The second goal finally arrived in the 82nd minute. El Khannouss sent Rahimi through on goal with a well-timed pass, allowing the Al Ain forward to advance before cutting the ball back to his teammate. Ounahi, Panathinaïkós’ midfielder, made no mistake and finished into the net to double Morocco’s lead.
The result gives Morocco six points from two matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Atlas Lions will now return to Morocco to prepare for their final fixture of the international break, a friendly against Ghana scheduled for October 4 in Tangier.
