Mazraoui and Rahimi give Morocco winning start in AFCON 2027 qualifying

Morocco began their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Gabon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday.

Noussair Mazraoui opened the scoring in the 36th minute before Soufiane Rahimi added a second six minutes from full time, securing a deserved victory for a dominant Morocco side.

However, the hosts were unable to turn their control and numerous chances into a more comfortable scoreline. Yassine Bounou was called upon repeatedly in the closing stages, making around half a dozen important saves to protect Morocco’s lead.

The goalkeeper made a diving save to keep out a shot from Denis Bouanga and then stretched to tip a header over with his fingertips. He also denied Bouanga from close range, while Rody Junior Effaghe narrowly failed to meet a cross with a diving header in another dangerous moment, although he appeared to be offside.

Effaghe later found himself unmarked inside the penalty area but headed straight into Bounou’s hands. The Morocco goalkeeper reacted angrily and criticised his defence before producing another decisive stop with his fists to keep out a further attempt from Bouanga.

The result came in Mohamed Ouahbi’s first match in charge of Morocco since the 2026 World Cup. He had to manage the absence of suspended duo Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari, while Brahim Diaz was rested and left out of the matchday squad.

Maamar replaced Hakimi at right-back, with Yassine Gessime operating in the advanced role usually occupied by Diaz. Ez Abde returned on the left wing after missing the World Cup through injury, while the in-form Zabiri started as the central striker.

Gabon also made changes as they began a new era under French manager Sebastien Migne. The Pantheres were without their most recognisable player, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has stepped away from international football following a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Aubameyang, Gabon’s record scorer with 40 goals in 86 appearances, remains productive at the age of 37. He had scored five goals and provided two assists in Liga football since joining Deportivo La Coruna, but a recent injury is expected to keep him out for about two months.

Gabon therefore had to look for alternative attacking options, including Bouanga. Shavy Babicka and Jonathan Do Marcolino were replaced during the match by Andre Jordy Ella and Teddy Andami Averlant.

Morocco, quarter-finalists at the 2026 World Cup, are in a qualifying group with Gabon, Lesotho and Niger. They are strong favourites and are regarded as the holders, subject to the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirming next month the decision issued by the CAF appeals jury.

The victory also continued Morocco’s recent dominance in this fixture, after they beat Gabon 4-1 and 5-1 during qualifying for the previous edition.