Morocco’s Atlas Lions capped off their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying campaign in dominant fashion, thrashing Lesotho 7-0 at Stade d’Honneur in Oujda. The result not only highlighted Morocco’s supremacy in Group B but also solidified their status as one of the favorites heading into the tournament in Morocco next year.
Coming off a commanding 5-1 victory over Gabon, the Atlas Lions delivered another clinical performance. Brahim Diaz stole the show with a brilliant hat-trick, finding the net in the 5th, 15th, and 42nd minutes. Soufiane Rahimi also starred in the first half, scoring twice in the 37th and in stoppage time (45+2).
The dominance continued into the second half, with Youssef En-Nesyri adding a goal in the 68th minute and Ismael Saibari completing the scoring just two minutes later. The seven-goal rout underscored Morocco’s attacking firepower and defensive discipline, as they finished the group stage with a flawless record.
Head coach Walid Regragui used the match to showcase Morocco’s depth, rotating his squad and giving younger players a chance to shine. Bayern Munich’s Adam Aznou, making an appearance at left-back, delivered an impressive performance that bolstered his case for a regular spot. Midfielder Reda Belahyane also made the most of his opportunity, contributing to the team’s fluid play.
Noussair Mazraoui returned to the starting lineup at right-back, stepping in for Achraf Hakimi, who had returned to Paris Saint-Germain under a prearranged agreement with the Moroccan federation. Meanwhile, the return of Soufiane Rahimi from suspension added a dynamic edge to the attack, proving a crucial decision as he scored twice and provided a constant threat.
With their place in AFCON 2025 long secured, Morocco now turns their attention to preparing for the tournament, where they will aim to replicate their qualification form on the big stage. Their emphatic performances throughout the qualifiers have raised expectations, and fans across the nation will hope the Atlas Lions can deliver continental glory when the tournament begins in December 2025.
