Morocco will look to make it two wins from two in Group A of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they face Lesotho at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday. The Atlas Lions travelled to South Africa after a technical stop in Douala, Cameroon, while Lesotho are still seeking their first points after losing to Niger on Friday.
Morocco began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Gabon in Rabat. Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui opened the scoring in the 36th minute before Soufiane Rahimi sealed the result six minutes from time.
The result extended Morocco’s reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent international sides. The hosts of the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, whose title was awarded by CAF on a walkover, are targeting another place in the finals as they pursue a third continental crown, following their 1976 success.
Morocco finished the previous qualifying campaign with six wins from six matches in a group that also contained Lesotho. They scored eight times across their two meetings with the Crocodiles, winning 1-0 away before producing a 7-0 victory in the return fixture.
They will hope for another convincing display as they aim to retain top spot in a section that also includes Niger.
Lesotho began their campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Niger, extending a difficult run to two successive losses. Daniel Sosah and Oumar Sako scored within the final seven minutes of the first half, while Sera Motebang pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.
The defeat means Lesotho have won only one of their past seven matches, alongside three draws and three defeats. In the previous qualifying campaign, they finished bottom of their group after scoring two goals and conceding 13, with more than half of those goals coming against Morocco.
There are no new injury concerns for Lesotho, who are expected to retain the same squad. Motebang should lead the attack, with captain Sekhoane Moerane in goal behind a five-man defence.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari return after serving CAF suspensions in the win over Gabon. Yassir Zabiri is expected to start up front.
Mohamed Ouahbi remains without Ayoub El Kaabi, Chadi Riad, Youssef Belammari, Youssef En-Nesyri and Hamza Igamane because of injury.
Morocco’s probable team is: Bounou; Mazraoui, Aguerd, Diop, Maamar; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Yassine, Ounahi, Ezzalzouli; Zabiri.
Lesotho’s likely line-up is: Moerane; Falene, Makhetha, Makhele, Mokokoane, Koaeane; Mokhachane, Toloane, Fethoane, Sefali; Motebang.
Morocco are forecast to win 3-0, with their technical quality and Saibari’s return expected to give them the edge. The exact-score selection is priced at 5.80 with Betclic.