Rabat – Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has hailed the national team’s supporters ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Mali, saying Moroccan fans consistently turn out to back the Atlas Lions both at home and abroad.
Speaking to reporters following Morocco’s final training session at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Saturday, Bouaddi acknowledged the challenge posed by Mali but said Mohamed Ouahbi’s side is ready for the encounter.
“Mali are a very good team, and we will do our utmost,” Bouaddi said. “We are ready for the match, and we will give everything we have, God willing.”
The 19-year-old Manchester City midfielder also revealed that Sunday’s game will mark his first experience in Tangier.
“This is the first time I’m visiting Tangier, so we’ll see what the atmosphere will be like,” he said. “But I know that wherever we go in Morocco, and even around the world, the fans are always there. That always makes us happy.”
Morocco complete preparations in Tangier
Morocco completed their final 90-minute training session on Saturday at the Grand Stade de Tanger, where Ouahbi and his technical staff carried out their last preparations before facing Mali.
The Atlas Lions traveled to Tangier on Friday after completing their final session at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maamoura.
Today’s friendly kicks off at 6 p.m. GMT at the Grand Stade de Tanger. Mali were brought in as Morocco’s opponents after Ghana withdrew from the originally scheduled friendly for what the Ghana Football Association described to the FRMF as internal reasons.
The match comes after a successful start to Morocco’s September-October international window.
Ouahbi’s team opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Gabon in Rabat before recording another 2-0 win against Lesotho in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Brahim Diaz and Azzedine Ounahi scored against Lesotho.
Bouaddi, who completed a move from Lille to Manchester City in August following his performances at the 2026 World Cup, is among the younger players increasingly involved in Morocco’s senior setup.
Sunday’s meeting with Mali gives Morocco another opportunity to test the squad before competitive AFCON qualifying action resumes.
