Today, Friday, the national football team will face an important test against the Gabon national team, marking the start of their campaign in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This match is the first appearance of the Lions after their participation in the World Cup held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, which adds special significance to the team’s journey toward upcoming continental competitions. The team completed its preparations yesterday, Thursday, on the field where the match will be hosted, with the participation of new players seeking to prove themselves and deliver the best performance.
The last training session saw great focus from the national coach Mohamed Wahbi, who put the finishing touches on the technical and tactical plan. The training atmosphere was filled with a high spirit of discipline and responsibility, reflecting the players’ desire to perform at a level worthy of the fans’ expectations. The stands at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat are expected to be packed with a large crowd supporting the Lions in this crucial stage after Morocco hosted the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The team faces the challenge of unexpected absences due to injuries, but the technical staff led by Wahbi has prepared necessary alternatives to compensate for the shortages. Press reports indicate that the coach may rely on the services of the young striker Yasser Al-Zabiri, who has made a strong and prominent start in the Spanish league. Through these opportunities, Wahbi aims to prepare a new generation of young players to ensure the team’s continued development.
The national team is missing several prominent names in the match against Gabon, including the captain Achraf Hakimi, Ibrahim Diaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, and Shadi Riyadh, all sidelined due to injuries that kept them off Wahbi’s squad. Despite these significant absences, the team aspires to start the qualifiers strongly and secure a positive result against Gabon to boost their chances of qualifying for the continental tournament.
