Morocco’s national team achieved a significant 5-0 victory over Gabon in the fifth round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Ibrahim Diaz, a player from Real Madrid, scored two goals. Jamal Harkas, Youssef N-Nessiri, and Ismail Sibari each contributed one goal. With this win, Morocco’s points total rose to 15, maintaining an 8-point lead over the closest rivals in Group Two.
In the match, Jamal Harkas opened the scoring in the 17th minute. He capitalized on a great cross from Achraf Hakimi, showcasing his skill as a defender. Harkas has played a vital role in the team, participating in the last three qualifying matches.
Morocco has maintained an unbeaten streak for 10 months, following their only defeat against South Africa in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final. Since then, they have played nine matches, winning eight and drawing one. Currently, they rank 13th in the world and first in Africa, according to FIFA.
What tactical improvements have contributed to Morocco’s recent success in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers?
Interview with Football Analyst Ahmed El-Mahdi on Morocco’s Impressive Victory
NewsDirector3.com recently had the opportunity to sit down with renowned football analyst Ahmed El-Mahdi to discuss Morocco’s stellar performance in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, highlighted by their recent 5-0 triumph over Gabon.
NewsDirector3: Ahmed, what were your thoughts on Morocco’s 5-0 victory against Gabon?
Ahmed El-Mahdi: It was an outstanding display of attacking football. Morocco demonstrated their offensive prowess, with players like Ibrahim Diaz and Jamal Harkas stepping up significantly. The way they controlled the match from the start was impressive. Scoring five goals, especially in such a crucial qualifier, really showcases their potential.
NewsDirector3: Jamal Harkas scored the opening goal; how critical is his role in this squad?
Ahmed El-Mahdi: Harkas has been vital for Morocco, not just for his goals but also for his defensive contributions. His ability to join attacks from the back is something we witnessed against Gabon, and that goal was a perfect example. He’s becoming a key player in these qualifiers and has shown great form, especially in the last three matches.
NewsDirector3: Ibrahim Diaz’s performance, scoring two goals, stands out. How does his contribution affect the team’s dynamics?
Ahmed El-Mahdi: Diaz’s ability to find the back of the net underlines his importance, but it also heightens competition within the squad. His confidence will undoubtedly boost the team morale going into the tournament. When you have players who trust their instincts and aren’t afraid to take chances, it elevates the entire team’s performance.
NewsDirector3: Morocco’s unbeaten streak is quite remarkable. What factors do you think contribute to this form?
Ahmed El-Mahdi: It’s a mix of strong team cohesion, tactical discipline, and quality coaching. Since their loss to South Africa in the AFCON final, they’ve clearly learned from that experience. The players understand each other’s play styles better, and that’s evident in their matches. The depth of talent in this squad, combined with a clear tactical approach from the management, has resulted in this impressive streak.
NewsDirector3: Achraf Hakimi is approaching a significant milestone in his international career. How pivotal is he to the success of the Moroccan national team?
Ahmed El-Mahdi: Hakimi is exceptional. His experience and skill set are invaluable; not only does he provide defensive support, but he also contributes significantly in attack. With 82 appearances and counting, he’s becoming a leader on the pitch. If he continues on this trajectory, breaking former records will just be the icing on the cake. His youthful energy and experience position him as one of the key figures for Morocco as they push forward.
NewsDirector3: How does Morocco’s position in the qualifiers set the stage for their upcoming tournament aspirations?
Ahmed El-Mahdi: Morocco is looking strong with their current form. Holding an 8-point lead in Group Two is no small feat. This gives them a psychological edge heading into the tournament. They have the potential to go far in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations if they maintain this level of performance. Their recent success in qualifiers bodes well, and it will be fascinating to see how they carry this momentum into the championship.
NewsDirector3: Thank you, Ahmed, for your insights on Morocco’s national team and their remarkable journey in the qualifiers.
Ahmed El-Mahdi: My pleasure! I’m excited to see how they perform in the upcoming tournaments.
Achraf Hakimi, playing for Paris Saint-Germain, increased his international appearances to 82 and has scored 10 goals and made 12 assists for Morocco. He is one match away from matching former captain Romain Saiss’s record. With his young age of 26, Hakimi has a chance to surpass the record of 115 matches held by Nooruddin Nayebet.
As Morocco continues its successful campaign, their performance in the qualifiers reflects their strength and determination to succeed in the upcoming tournament.
