Morocco vs Gabon: Ilias Akhomach called up to launch the road to AFCON 2027

This update focuses on Morocco Gabon Ilias Akhomach. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced the call-up of Ilias Akhomach for the Morocco vs Gabon clash, which will open the national team’s qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco Gabon Ilias Akhomach, a key attacking boost

In a statement published on Tuesday evening on its official website, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said that national coach Mohamed Ouahbi has selected Villarreal winger Ilias Akhomach.

The forward is joining the Atlas Lions for the Morocco vs Gabon fixture, the first match in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

For many Moroccans living abroad, used to following the national team from Europe, North America or the Gulf, seeing a profile like Ilias Akhomach in the squad adds extra excitement, especially as many players now come from top European leagues.

Starting the campaign at home, with fans flying in

According to the FRMF, the squad is continuing its preparations at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora, near Salé. Training sessions are being held behind closed doors at this state-of-the-art facility.

The Morocco vs Gabon game is scheduled for this Friday at 7 p.m. at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The match is an opportunity for Moroccans visiting from abroad to experience the atmosphere in the stands and reconnect with the passion surrounding the Atlas Lions.

For those who will be watching from overseas, the start of these qualifiers also marks the beginning of a new cycle, with hopes that Morocco will confirm its status as a major African football nation.

A packed schedule: Lesotho and then Ghana

After Morocco vs Gabon, the team’s calendar quickly intensifies. The FRMF has announced that the Atlas Lions will face Lesotho on Tuesday 29 September in South Africa, in the second round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

This away match will be the first test on the road in this qualifying campaign and will be closely followed by supporters, including Moroccan communities based in Southern Africa and neighbouring countries, who often travel to back the team.

An additional friendly has been scheduled against Ghana on Sunday 4 October at the Grand Stade de Tanger. This encounter will give the coaching staff another opportunity to integrate players such as Ilias Akhomach and fine-tune the team’s chemistry ahead of the rest of the qualifiers.

A symbolic link for Moroccans abroad

At every major competition, the national team remains a powerful emotional link for Moroccans at home and abroad. The start of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers is no exception.

For families settled overseas, these games are often a chance to gather at home, invite friends, and pass on attachment to the national jersey to younger generations.

The presence of players like Ilias Akhomach, who grew up and play in Europe, strengthens this feeling of proximity for many young Moroccans born abroad, who recognise their own journeys in these dual-background careers.

• Morocco vs Gabon: Friday at 7 p.m., Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat)
• Lesotho vs Morocco: Tuesday 29 September, in South Africa
• Morocco vs Ghana (friendly): Sunday 4 October, Grand Stade de Tanger

In the meantime, the squad is working at the Mohammed VI Complex with a clear objective: to start the road to AFCON 2027 in the best possible way and extend Moroccan football’s positive momentum on the continent.

How Moroccans abroad can follow the team

For supporters based outside Morocco, official information on fixtures, call-up lists and kick-off times is available on the FRMF website (https://frmf.ma/), alongside international sports platforms.

The coming weeks will show whether the inclusion of Ilias Akhomach and the momentum created by this Morocco vs Gabon match will allow the Atlas Lions to take an early step towards AFCON 2027 qualification.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.