The national coach Mohamed Wahbi confirmed today that the Moroccan national team is ready to face Lesotho in the second round of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, emphasizing the need to approach the match with seriousness and high focus. The match will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, in the city of Bloemfontein, South Africa. Wahbi explained that various circumstances will not be an excuse for any negligence, affirming that winning the first match gives a strong boost to the team, and the goal is to continue winning while fully respecting the Lesotho team, which has shown remarkable development in recent years.
During the press conference preceding the match, Wahbi revealed that the team roster is complete except for the absence of Nayef Akred, whom the coaching staff preferred not to risk and to give enough time to complete the return-to-competition protocol. He pointed out that all players are available and ready to give their best, stressing that the focus is on finding solutions on the field and not paying attention to possible excuses, whether related to climatic conditions or the quality of the pitch, with the aim of winning every match.
In a related context, the coach talked about the process of integrating new players into the team, explaining that the development is gradual, with some new players already having participated, while others will soon get their chance. He emphasized the importance of giving these young players space to develop, even if that includes making some mistakes, considering that a natural part of building a new generation capable of delivering the required performance in continental and international arenas, especially against Lesotho.
Wahbi concluded his statements by affirming that the key to dealing with the Lesotho match lies in focusing on the performance of the Moroccan team and presenting the best version of themselves each time, avoiding any underestimation of the match despite the theoretical advantage of the Atlas Lions. He called on the players to approach the match with complete seriousness and give their all to ensure victory, secure the three points, and continue successfully in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
