Morocco begin their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign at home to Gabon in Rabat on Friday, with a victory expected to be the straightforward outcome for the continent’s top-ranked side. Kick-off is at 19:00 GMT on 25 September 2026.
Nasser Eddy, a consultant for NCI Sport and presenter of the UEFA Champions League on radio Nostalgie, has assessed the match and identified several betting angles, including odds of 2.49 for both teams to score.
Morocco, recent quarter-finalists at the FIFA World Cup 2026, are attempting to turn their sustained dominance into silverware after finishing as runners-up at the last Africa Cup of Nations. They could still be crowned from that tournament on 8 October, depending on a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Atlas Lions have been operating at a level above most African opposition for the past four years. Mohamed Ouahbi’s side also impressed at the World Cup in North America, holding Brazil and the Netherlands and comfortably defeating Scotland and Canada.
Their squad includes world-class talent such as Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid and Manchester City’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou remains a key figure. Brahim Diaz provided four assists in Morocco’s six World Cup matches.
Morocco scored 26 goals in six matches during their previous AFCON qualifying campaign in 2024, against Niger, Lesotho and Central African Republic. That record gives them an average of more than four goals per game and underlines why anything other than a home win would be viewed as a surprise.
Gabon begin new era
Gabon arrive with a new manager and a changed squad. Sebastien Migne will take charge for the first time, while long-standing leaders Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga are no longer part of the team.
Mario Lemina is unavailable because of injury, but Jim Allevinah, Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga remain among the experienced players in the squad.
The Panthers have played only twice in 2026, losing 3-1 to Uzbekistan and drawing 2-2 with Trinidad and Tobago at the FIFA Series in March. They have conceded three goals in three of their last four matches in all competitions, although they have scored in each of those four games.
Morocco and Gabon have met 21 times in all competitions. Morocco lead the record with 12 wins to Gabon’s six, while three matches ended level. The gap was especially clear in their two meetings in 2024, when Morocco won 4-1 in Agadir and 5-1 in Franceville.
Zabiri set for Morocco debut
Yassir Zabiri could make his senior international debut after scoring six goals in seven appearances for Racing Santander, where he is on loan from Stade Rennais.
The 21-year-old forward, born in Marrakech, has earned Mohamed Ouahbi’s confidence after progressing through Morocco’s Under-20 side. With Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi unavailable, Zabiri is expected to receive an opportunity.
The match odds include 1.16 for a Morocco win, 2.49 for both teams to score, and 10 for a 3-1 final score. Zabiri is priced at 1.84 to score at any time.
Odds may change.