Morocco defeated Niger 5–1 at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Friday, November 13, extending their winning start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to three matches. Achraf Hakimi scored twice, while Yassir Zabiri, Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub Oufkir also found the net for Mohamed Ouahbi’s side.
The result takes the Atlas Lions to nine points from three Group A fixtures and maintains their lead ahead of the return meeting with Niger in Rabat on November 17.
Hakimi Double Restores Morocco’s Two-Goal Advantage
Morocco made an early breakthrough when Yassir Zabiri opened the scoring in the fourth minute.
Hakimi doubled the lead in the 27th minute, putting the hosts in a strong position before Niger responded.
Mohamed Abdouramane reduced the deficit in the 41st minute, scoring the first goal Morocco had conceded in their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The visitors’ response briefly narrowed the contest, but Hakimi struck again in first-half stoppage time.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender scored directly from a free kick in the 45th+3 minute to restore Morocco’s two-goal advantage and send the Atlas Lions into the interval leading 3–1.
His second goal was particularly important in the sequence of the match. Instead of protecting a narrow lead after Niger’s reply, Morocco began the second half with a more comfortable margin.
En-Nesyri and Oufkir Complete the Scoring
Morocco added two further goals after the break.
Youssef En-Nesyri, recalled to the national-team squad for the November international window, scored in the 77th minute to make it 4–1.
Ayoub Oufkir then completed the scoring in the 90th minute, marking his first senior Morocco call-up with a goal.
The late contributions brought together two different elements of Ouahbi’s November squad selection: the return of an experienced international striker and the introduction of a younger attacking option.
En-Nesyri’s goal adds to the competition for places in Morocco’s attack, while Oufkir’s contribution gives the coaching staff another performance to assess as they expand the senior squad.
For Oufkir, the goal follows his decision to represent Morocco rather than the Netherlands, a development that attracted attention in Dutch football before the November international window.
Morocco’s Attack Delivers, but the Defensive Record Ends
Morocco entered the match having defeated Gabon and Lesotho by identical 2–0 scorelines in September.
Friday’s five-goal performance represents their highest attacking return of the qualifying campaign so far. With nine goals scored across three matches, the Atlas Lions have strengthened their position in Group A.
The result also ended their run of consecutive clean sheets.
Although Morocco finished with a four-goal winning margin, Niger’s first-half goal provided a reminder that defensive organisation remains relevant even when the attack is producing goals.
Ouahbi will also have further decisions to make in midfield, with Azzedine Ounahi and Ismael Saibari unavailable for the November fixtures and Neil El Aynaoui withdrawing through injury before the opening match.
The result provides a positive indication of Morocco’s attacking options, but one performance against Niger is not enough to settle the longer-term selection questions.
Morocco and Niger Meet Again on November 17
The two teams will meet for the second time in four days on Tuesday, November 17, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Although Niger will be the designated home team, the fixture will take place in Morocco because the Nigerien federation does not have an approved stadium available for the qualifier.
The November fixture arrangements give Ouahbi another competitive opportunity to assess his squad before the qualifying campaign resumes in 2027.
Morocco will enter that match with three victories from three Group A fixtures and the opportunity to extend their advantage in the race for a place at AFCON 2027.
Get the Atlas Lions Weekly
The biggest Morocco football stories, player updates and analysis—delivered to your inbox every Sunday.
