AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Morocco beat Niger as Bounou marks 100th cap
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Lebrief, Bladi and MAP
Morocco secured their third victory in AFCON 2027 qualifiers by beating Niger 5-1 in Casablanca, with a brace from Achraf Hakimi. Yassine Bounou marked his 100th cap with a saved penalty, while Ayoub Oufkir scored his first international goal, according to MAP.
Morocco comfortably beat Niger 5-1 on Friday in Casablanca in the third round of Group A matches in AFCON 2027 qualifiers, taking their tally to nine points from three matches, according to MAP. The Atlas Lions had previously beaten Gabon 2-0 and Lesotho 2-0.
Yassir Zabiri opened the scoring in the fourth minute after a cross from Brahim Diaz, before Achraf Hakimi doubled the lead in the 27th minute. Mohamed Abdourahmane pulled one back in the 41st minute, then Niger missed a penalty to equalise in the 45th minute. Hakimi scored his second goal in first-half stoppage time.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the fourth goal in the 77th minute, after a goal had been ruled out for offside three minutes earlier. Ayoub Oufkir then rounded off the match in the 90th minute. Gabon are second with six points, ahead of Niger with three and bottom-placed Lesotho without a point.
Morocco will face Niger again on Tuesday 17 November at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat for the fourth round.
