Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group Stage

Nov 18, 2024 at 7pm UK

Stade d'Honneur d'Oujda

Moroccovs.Lesotho

Match preview

Despite being guaranteed an automatic spot in the 2025 AFCON due to their status as host nation, Morocco are participating in the qualifiers for secondary reasons but have shown no signs of taking things with levity.

Walid Regragui's men laid down an early statement of intent with a 4-1 thrashing of Gabon in their opening outing before picking up wins over Lesotho and the Central African Republic (two) by a combined score of 10-0.

The Atlas Lions finally saw their run of games without conceding come to an end last time out against Gabon, where they went behind to Denis Bouanga's opener before storming to a 5-1 triumph led by the heroics of Brahim Diaz.

Albeit largely inconsequential, Morocco are well clear at the top of Group B, eight points clear of Gabon in second and a further three points ahead of Lesotho ahead of Monday's encounter between the teams.

Monday's hosts are the only team still with a perfect record in the qualifiers after five matches and now have the opportunity to rack up their highest points tally in an AFCON qualifying campaign since 2017 (16).

Seeking a first-ever appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, Lesotho could not have asked for a worse start to their qualification journey after consecutive defeats to the Central African Republic and Morocco to kick off proceedings.

Leslie Notsi's men finally got themselves on the board with a goalless share of the spoils against Gabon in their third outing on October 11 before suffering a 2-0 defeat to the same opponents four days later.

In the last chance saloon to keep their AFCON ambitions alive, Likuena headed to the Toyota Stadium to face off against CAR on Thursday afternoon and claimed a much-needed 1-0 victory in Bloemfontein.

Lesotho are still in with a chance at securing second place in Group B but would also need results elsewhere to go their way even if they managed to beat Morocco, who are unbeaten since losing to South Africa in January.

Nonetheless, all Monday's visitors can do is take care of things on their end, although their away record does not make for good reading with only two wins in nine matches on enemy territory since the turn of the year.

Recent Performance

Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:WWWWW

Morocco form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Lesotho Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:LLDLW

Lesotho form (all competitions):LLLDLW

Team News

Jamal Harkass, playing in just his third match for Morocco, scored his first goal against Gabon, kickstarting an impressive comeback and maintaining his winning streak on the international stage.

Ismael Saibari scored and provided an assist in just 10 minutes as a substitute last time out, so he might get a spot in the starting XI.

Fenerbahce forward Youssef En-Nesyri has now scored 22 goals for the home side, putting him in second place behind Ayoub El Kaabi (26) and Hakim Ziyech (25) among all active players.

Neo Mokhachane was back in the line-up for Lesotho against CAR and scored the winning goal, taking his international goal tally to three.

It's fair to say that goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane has been his nation's best player throughout the AFCON qualifying campaign. He'll need to put on another inspired display between the sticks here.

Possible starting lineup

Morocco possible starting lineup:

Bono; Mazraoui, Aguerd, Harkass, Hakimi; Amrabat, Ounahi; Saibari, Ben Seghir, Diaz; En-Nesyri

Lesotho possible starting lineup:

Moerane; Matsau, Makhele, Mokokoana, Matlabe; Lebokollane, Fothoane, Matsoele; Letsema, Motebang, Mokhachane