Rabat – Morocco’s Atlas Lions have closed out their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying campaign in emphatic fashion, dismantling Lesotho 7-0 at Stade d’Honneur in Oujda.
Already brimming with confidence following a decisive 5-1 win over Gabon, the team delivered a clinical performance that underlined their dominance in Group B.
Brahim Diaz was the standout player of the night, netting a hat-trick with goals in the 5th, 15th, and 42nd minutes. Soufiane Rahimi added to the commanding first-half display, scoring twice in the 37th and 45+2’ minutes.
Youssef En-Nesyri extended the lead in the 68th minute, while Ismael Saibari capped the scoring just two minutes later.
The victory secured Morocco a perfect record in the group stage, showcasing both their attacking prowess and defensive stability.
Head coach Walid Regragui used the opportunity to rotate his squad, featuring emerging talents such as Bayern Munich’s Adam Aznou and Reda Belahyane.
Both players impressed, with Aznou solidifying his case for more minutes in the left-back position.
Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui returned to the starting lineup at right-back, stepping in for Achraf Hakimi, who returned to his club under an agreement between Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan federation.
Soufiane Rahimi’s inclusion following suspension added dynamism to the attack, a decision that paid off handsomely.
With their place in AFCON 2025 secure, Morocco’s focus now shifts to refining their squad and strategy ahead of the tournament.
Their commanding performances in the qualifiers have positioned them as one of the favorites to claim the continental crown. Fans across the nation will be watching closely as the Atlas Lions aim to translate their qualifying success into AFCON glory.
