2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Key is to Stay Focused and Respect the Opponent , Says Coach Ouahbi

Bloemfontein (South Africa) – Morocco’s national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi stated on Monday in Bloemfontein that the key is to stay focused and respect the opponent in the fixture pitting the Moroccan national team against its Lesotho counterpart on the second day of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“For us, this is just one goal among many. The conditions are different, but it’s up to us to stay focused on what we know how to do,” Ouahbi emphasized during a press conference on the eve of the match.

In his view, the best way to approach this kind of game is to “stay focused on ourselves, adapt to the conditions, and not make excuses.”

Noting that new players will be phased in gradually as part of an ongoing process, he reaffirmed that the Moroccan national team is at full strength in Bloemfontein, with the exception of Nayef Aguerd, who is continuing his return-to-play protocol.

“We trained with the full squad yesterday, and for tomorrow’s match, we’re spoiled for choice,” he assured.

Ouahbi also warned against “the temptation to take things too lightly under the pretext of being the favorite. We have to be 100% ready, take the match seriously, and respect our opponent.

For his part, Moroccan international Issa Diop expressed his teammates’ determination to give their all in this match between the Lesotho Crocodiles and the Atlas Lions, scheduled for 3 p.m. (1 p.m. GMT) at Free State Toyota Stadium.

After the first matchday of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Morocco leads Group A with three points and a goal difference of +2, ahead of Niger, which also has three points (+1).

Lesotho, which lost to Niger 0-1 last Friday, and Gabon both have zero points.