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Morocco and Tanzania go head to head in a game that could see the Atlas Lions stretch their lead in the group table and get them ever closer to an early qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
Kick-off is at 9:30 p.m. and fans can catch the action live on Arriyadia TNT, and BeIN Sports Arabic.
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Morocco continued their perfect World Cup qualifying run with a dramatic 2-1 win over Niger last Friday. But it was anything but straightforward.
After a frustrating first half where the Atlas Lions were toothless, disaster struck just two minutes after the restart. Niger’s Youssouf Oumarou pounced on a goalmouth scramble to fire the hosts into the lead. But Morocco responded in style. PSV’s Ismael Saibari coolly slotted home a cross from Brahim Diaz to level the score, before Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss sealed victory with a powerful header from a lofted ball from Noussair Mazraoui to the second post in stoppage time.
That’s now 11 games unbeaten for Walid Regragui’s side, with nine consecutive wins. They’ve scored 22 goals in their last five matches and conceded just twice. But now, their attention turns to the crucial game against Tanzania.
Morocco have history on their side. They thumped Tanzania 3-0 at 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire, with Romain Saiss heading home before a red card helped open the floodgate to two more goals. In World Cup qualifiers, they’ve won five of their six meetings. A win won’t guarantee qualification just yet, but it will put them in pole position.
Tanzania, sitting second in the table with nine points, come into this game well-rested after their last match against Congo was cancelled due to FIFA’s suspension of the Congolese FA.
Regragui has defensive dilemmas. Nayef Aguerd is a certainty at center-back, but his partner is up for debate. Jawad El Yamiq played against Niger and avoided any big mistakes, but he didn’t exactly shine. Jamal Harkass, despite struggling for form in Botola Pro with Wydad, is expected to start as he won’t be available for the next international break due to Club World Cup duties. Abdelkabir Abqar remains out of the race.
Morocco will be without Achraf Hakimi, who is suspended. Regragui called up Raja Casablanca’s Youssef Belammari as cover. Noussair Mazraoui should start at right-back, while on the left, it’s a toss-up between Adam Aznou and Belammari. With Tanzania’s physicality and aggressive play, the safer bet is Belammari.
In midfield, changes are expected. Against Niger, Regragui fielded Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, and Elisse Ben Seghir. Ounahi struggled both in attack and defence before being subbed off. His replacement, Bilal El Khannouss, made an instant impact. Regragui hinted after the game that some players had disappointed and wouldn’t start against Tanzania — Ounahi looks likely to be one of them.
Regragui’s 4-1-4-1 system relies on a balanced midfield. Targhaline is a defensive midfielder but lacks Ounahi’s attacking drive. With El Khannouss and Saibari impressing off the bench against Niger, both could be handed starts.
On the wings, Brahim Diaz is expected to keep his spot on the right wing. The left flank is up for grabs. Soufiane Rahimi started there against Niger but was ineffective. His strength lies in making runs behind defences, not dribbling past full-backs – especially when the opponent plays with a low block. That could see Eliesse Ben Seghir slot in as a left-winger with enough freedom to roam inside and create play.
Up front, Youssef En-Nesyri struggled against Niger. When Morocco face a team parking the bus, his aerial threat is negated when surrounded by towering centre backs. The Fenerbahce striker was a regular substitute in Morocco’s recent games.
Regragui played the now-injured Ayoub El Kaabi in most games and the attacking play was much faster and fluid. Morocco used to score many goals thanks to his in-and-out play. En-Nesyri offers little in that department. He usually stands in the box waiting for a long ball from the wings. This time, Regragui may turn to Rahimi as a more mobile forward.
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Predicted Line-ups:
Morocco: Bounou; Mazraoui, Harkass, Aguerd, Belammari; Amrabat, El Khannouss, Saibari; Brahim, Ben Seghir, Rahimi
Tanzania: Suleiman; Kapombe, Job, Hamad, Mohamed; Yahya, Bitegeko, Salum; Mzize, Hussein, Mzuva
Predicted Score:
Tanzania won’t be pushovers. They famously beat Morocco 3-1 in 2013 and will look to frustrate the Atlas Lions in front of their home crowd. But with Morocco’s firepower, home advantage, and momentum, another victory looks likely.
Morocco 2-0 Tanzania
