Morocco vs Gabon: Atlas Lions kick off their road to AFCON 2027

Morocco returns to official competition with a Morocco Gabon Atlas Lions clash in Rabat on Friday, opening the road to AFCON 2027.

First official test since the 2026 World Cup

The Atlas Lions are playing their first competitive match since the 2026 World Cup. The game will be held at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday at 19:00 GMT, counting for the opening round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Drawn in Group A, Morocco will face not only Gabon but also Niger and Lesotho. For Moroccans living abroad, this match marks the start of a new chapter for the national team, often followed live from Europe, North America or the Gulf, with family or friends.

Morocco Gabon Atlas Lions: a key home opener

This Morocco Gabon Atlas Lions encounter is more than a simple opening game. It is an early test of the team’s form after the World Cup and of its ability to build towards 2027.

After this home fixture, Mohamed Ouahbi’s men will travel to South Africa on Tuesday 29 September to face Lesotho in the second round of the qualifiers.

The target is clear: start the campaign with a win in Rabat and send a message to the rest of Group A. A strong start would also reassure supporters abroad, attached to an image of a stable and ambitious national team.

Extended squad mixing leaders and newcomers

For this international window, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has called up a 29-man squad. He is blending experienced leaders with young talents expected to gradually secure a place in the team.

One of the most notable returns is defender Nayef Aguerd, back with the Atlas Lions. The coach has also placed his trust in several younger players, including Soufiane El-Faouzi, Yassir Zabiri, Tawfik Bentayeb and Abdellah Ouazane, who will be looking for minutes in a competitive setting.

For the diaspora, which closely follows the careers of dual nationals and young players based in Europe, this openness is a positive signal. It shows a clear intention to build continuity for the medium term.

Key absentees and tactical adjustments

Morocco will nonetheless have to cope with several important absences for this first qualifier.

• Achraf Hakimi is suspended
• Ismael Saibari is also suspended
• Ayoub El Kaabi is sidelined through injury
• Chadi Riad is likewise unavailable due to injury

These absences will force Mohamed Ouahbi to adjust his starting XI and redistribute roles on the pitch. In this context, some less established players may get a rare opportunity to prove themselves in a high-stakes game.

A shared moment for fans in Morocco and abroad

The match in Rabat should draw a strong crowd at the stadium and in front of screens, both inside the country and across the world. For many Moroccans living abroad, watching the Atlas Lions remains a powerful emotional link with home, whether during family gatherings, in community cafés or within Moroccan associations in major cities.

A positive start against Gabon would put Morocco on the right track for AFCON 2027 qualification, while strengthening the emotional bond between the national team and its supporters, wherever they live.

The rest of the campaign, including the away game against Lesotho in South Africa, will show whether this new cycle can confirm the ambitions expressed by the squad and its coaching staff.

Following the road to AFCON 2027

The coming months will be shaped by the remaining rounds of these qualifiers, which fans in Morocco and abroad will be able to follow through the usual African competition broadcasters and platforms. Official information on fixtures, venues and referees continues to be released by the competent football bodies.

On Canal212, readers will find regular coverage of the Atlas Lions’ journey and of major sporting events that contribute to Morocco’s international image.

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

For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.