Morocco will look to maintain their perfect start to 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying when they face Lesotho at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
The Atlas Lions travelled to South Africa after a technical stopover in Douala, Cameroon, having opened Group A with a 2-0 victory over Gabon in Rabat on Friday. Lesotho, meanwhile, are still searching for their first points after losing 2-1 to Niger.
Noussair Mazraoui gave Morocco the lead against Gabon in the 36th minute before Soufiane Rahimi sealed the win six minutes from time. The result extended the impressive record of one of Africa’s most consistent national teams.
Morocco, who hosted the most recent Africa Cup of Nations and were awarded the title by CAF on a green-penalty decision, are aiming to qualify for the finals again as they pursue a third continental crown, following their 1976 triumph.
Their previous qualifying campaign ended with six wins from six matches, in a group which also included Lesotho. Morocco scored eight goals across their two meetings with the Crocodiles, winning 1-0 away before a 7-0 home victory.
They will hope for another convincing performance as they attempt to establish themselves at the top of a section that also contains Niger.
Lesotho’s defeat in Niamey extended a difficult run for the team, who have now lost two matches in succession and recorded only one victory in their past seven games, alongside three draws and three defeats.
Daniel Sosah and Oumar Sako scored for Niger in the final seven minutes of the first half, while Sera Motebang pulled one goal back from the penalty spot in the 85th minute. In the previous qualifying campaign, Lesotho finished bottom of their group after scoring only two goals and conceding 13, more than half of them against Morocco.
There are no injury concerns for Lesotho following the loss to Niger. The same squad is expected to start, with Motebang leading the attack and captain Sekhoane Moerane in goal behind a five-man defence.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari are available again after serving CAF suspensions in the win over Gabon. Yassir Zabiri is expected to start up front.
Mohamed Ouahbi remains without Ayoub El Kaabi, Chadi Riad, Youssef Belammari, Youssef En-Nesyri and Hamza Igamane because of injury.
Probable line-ups
Lesotho: Moerane; Falene, Makhetha, Makhele, Mokokoane, Koaeane; Mokhachane, Toloane, Fethoane, Sefali; Motebang.
Morocco: Bounou; Mazraoui, Aguerd, Diop, Maamar; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Yassine, Ounahi, Ezzalzouli; Zabiri.
Morocco’s greater technical quality, combined with Lesotho’s attacking struggles and defensive weakness, is expected to prove decisive. The recommended betting options are Morocco to win without conceding at 1.35, more than 2.5 goals at 1.25, and a 0-3 exact score at 5.80.
The predicted result is a 3-0 Morocco victory, with the exact-score selection available at 5.80 on Betclic.
