- 17 minutes ago
Morocco continued their perfect run in the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers with another victory, finding the breakthrough before halftime and putting the result away late in the second half against Lesotho.
Brahim Díaz opened the scoring just before the break, while Azzedine Ounahi added the second around the 82nd minute as the Atlas Lions maintained their flawless start to the qualifying campaign.
🎬 Want more? Watch the Extended Highlights from Lesotho vs Morocco for a deeper look at all the action from the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers.
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Brahim Díaz opened the scoring just before the break, while Azzedine Ounahi added the second around the 82nd minute as the Atlas Lions maintained their flawless start to the qualifying campaign.
🎬 Want more? Watch the Extended Highlights from Lesotho vs Morocco for a deeper look at all the action from the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers.
Catch the latest highlights of Ligue 1🇫🇷, Turkish Süper Lig🇹🇷, Copa Libertadores🏆, Copa Sudamericana🥇 on our YouTube channel. Follow the latest news on beIN SPORTS.com and stream all our matches on our beIN SPORTS CONNECT app or on our beIN XTRA channels.
Download beIN SPORTS CONNECT on Apple devices:
https://tinyurl.com/y4bd3osh
Download beIN SPORTS CONNECT on Android devices:
https://tinyurl.com/yxlst4vj
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TVTranscript
00:00And a few other countries. The kickoff blasted down out of bounds down into Lesotho territory.
00:07Here we go then for the second Group A clash qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations 20-27.
00:15Pamoja.
00:21He said he up with the header at the back.
00:27Ismail Seibari, another player.
00:29So it's only Israf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain, wingback, who is not getting a right out from the three
00:39that we knew were just coming back from slight knocks.
00:44Not injury, but just, you know, really just coming back from a big block of matches playing for their different
00:53clubs.
00:55Hakimi is the player who's on the bench, but they're all available.
00:59Whether or not they're at 100% is a different cup of steel, a different scenario altogether.
01:04Morocco passing the ball around quite nicely.
01:19Morocco passing the ball to the left-hand side with El-Khanoussi.
01:25Came through the Raja-Casablanca Youth Academy.
01:29Of course, former winners of the CAF African Champions League.
01:32The artists who once shared the same stadium as Ouidad.
01:48Alouadi is choosing as the centre-backs.
01:51Of course, Aoudoudal and Diop and Manzraoui making up that defensive back line.
01:58They'll be very comfortable just passing the ball around.
02:02There's Alouadi.
02:06Ball goes over and back into that midfield.
02:16Manzraoui.
02:17A little bit of movement.
02:19That's a good little run off the left-hand side and a chance there.
02:21El-Khanoussi gets the ball back across.
02:23It's gone high over the top.
02:24It's been full and well-controlled and a chance there for Brahim Diaz.
02:29But his shot gets blocked.
02:32Crossover.
02:33But they do win a corner.
02:34And it's good work to get himself back into position from Bilal El-Khanous.
02:39He's the former OM player in France in Liga.
02:42And also Angers, Strasbourg and Girona as well.
02:49And an opportunity here for Lesotho.
02:52Let's see what they can do.
02:56Neil Mokachane is going to send this over.
02:58The Botswana-based winger.
03:0130 years of age.
03:02Plenty of players coming up, including Tabo Machele.
03:05Watch out for him.
03:06The big guy with 20 on his back.
03:08Chance for her.
03:09Chance for her.
03:10Well, there's it's whipped over and free kick going against Lesotho.
03:22With the Juan Aziz unable to keep that on the right side of the paint.
03:31He's a former Kruger United player as well.
03:41Players spending time over here in South Africa.
03:44Here's the resulting corner.
03:45Front post.
03:45There was someone there.
03:46Lots of players queuing up.
03:48Need to get rid of it.
03:49Sibawi can't get on the end of it.
03:50Finally is headed away.
03:52Collected just on the outside of the paint.
03:54Brahim Diaz looked like it came off his arm.
03:56The referee doesn't say anything.
03:57It's lofted high over the top and away from anybody's head.
04:01And the play goes down in the six-yard box for Lesotho.
04:06Love to show off there.
04:08The glittering skills within this Atlas line set up.
04:12Danger is in abundance when you are playing the team in green and red.
04:18Chance for Unahita.
04:20Use that sweet left foot of his to whip it over.
04:25Right foot, sorry.
04:26And there it is over.
04:27Headed away at the far post.
04:29Goalkeepers are falling down to the ground.
04:31They managed to get the ball back.
04:32It's a chance to try and go on a little bit of a sneaky weaving move there.
04:37Finally the ball cleared.
04:39And Danger has scored a few of his goals.
04:42They've split the defense here.
04:44Nicely done.
04:44Brought back.
04:45And that's been cut out.
04:46Oh, it's another chance.
04:47Sibari just trying to jump and pounce on the loose ball.
04:51It's collected here by Tahaline.
04:54And he's got an option out to the right-hand side.
04:56Gets a little bit of space.
04:57Hoover, too, at the right-hand side here.
05:00Hello, Adi getting involved.
05:06That's a great through ball.
05:08Oh, Sibari couldn't quite get the first touch right.
05:11Otherwise, collected there by Unahi.
05:14Gets the ball back.
05:15There's a chance to...
05:16Oh, it's a little bit too close for comfort.
05:19Brian Diaz.
05:19Brian Diaz puts it out to the right-hand side.
05:22It's been a hit across there by Eloadi.
05:25And, um...
05:27Nicely done.
05:28Nicely done!
05:29A firm strike there.
05:31And, uh, in close quarters there was a lot of traffic around,
05:34but still managed to get the shot in.
05:36And Marco nearly, uh, punching.
05:39Ooh.
05:41Firmly.
05:41That's well played by Noor Mokacani.
05:43And there's the long ball over there towards, uh,
05:45down the line towards Mutabang.
05:47Clearing his lines at the back.
05:498-Budlal.
05:53And, uh, what it was, it was a congenital foot condition
05:57that caused his feet to just turn inwards,
06:00which, of course, uh, doctors had problems with.
06:03So, uh, lots of special braces when he was very young.
06:08It's been picked up here by Unahi.
06:10He lost the ball over.
06:11Oh, there's Braimsy.
06:11He has far post!
06:12Well, it's gone wide.
06:14That was a golden opportunity for Zakaria Eloadi.
06:17Another free-kick situation here.
06:27Now, let's, uh, see what Bilal El-Khanous can do from here with his right foot.
06:33Drops it into the penalty box.
06:35It's just flying past the left post there.
06:38And you consider Issa Diop coming up.
06:42Pinched back by Eloadi is, uh, Diaz.
06:45Diaz gets the ball to Sebari.
06:47Squares it to Unahi.
06:48And now he's got an option with El-Khanous.
06:50He's got a one-on-one situation.
06:52Does he go for the shot?
06:53No, he gets the ball to, uh, Mazraoui.
06:55And there's the defensive header.
06:59There's a strong challenge there coming in from Malani.
07:02But, uh, still in possession.
07:04Good through ball.
07:04Lovely done.
07:05That is absolutely perfect.
07:06Brahim Diaz.
07:07Mazraoui will put it on his right foot.
07:09It's a rifling shot that just comes straight off, uh, the center back.
07:13Makwanazi.
07:14And Lesotho collects.
07:17Oh, Mazraoui battling for the ball.
07:19Brahim Diaz.
07:19Diaz.
07:20Diaz with an attempt to try and touch the ball through.
07:22He's been picked up here.
07:23Is Unahi Unahi running out of a little bit of trouble?
07:25There's Mazraoui over the right-hand side.
07:27Gets seed up.
07:28Pulls it back.
07:28There's a shot coming in.
07:29It's gone high for Unahi.
07:32That should have been drilled in.
07:34Everything he does is very calm and collected.
07:37Defensively astute.
07:38Timing good.
07:39Physical.
07:41And, uh, and smart.
07:43And excellent at tidying everything up.
07:55There's the through ball nicely down.
07:57Oh, it's been picked up.
07:58It's straight in the back of the net.
07:59Brahim Diaz gets the goal for Morocco.
08:02One goal to nail in the last minute of the first half.
08:09And a goal that, uh, really does hurt the crocodiles of Lesotho.
08:15Everything was set up for them to go into the changing rooms.
08:19With, uh, goalless here in Bloemfontein.
08:32And another goal for Brahim Diaz.
08:36Unstoppable.
08:37Let's have a look at this again.
08:39That was the, uh, the move there.
08:41Wonderful through ball.
08:43All right.
08:43Just gets knocked into his path by Makwanazi.
08:47And Kwanazi, that left foot.
08:49And it's there that it's just slotted in.
08:51Left-footed strike directly into the goal of Brahim Diaz.
08:54Uh, score.
08:58There's too many players coming back.
09:00And, well, if you don't have anybody to come and help you,
09:03then you're going to lose possession.
09:05That's really good work.
09:13And Wadi coming across and just helping out in defense.
09:17And it's exactly what you want him to do.
09:23And the last few seconds of the, uh, first half.
09:46And that's, uh, the halftime whistle here in Bloemfontein for this Group A class.
09:53A qualifier for next year's Total Energy's Camp Africa Cup of Nations is Lesotho 0, Morocco 1.
10:04Back early on in the second half.
10:06Bob Mofoso is the man in charge.
10:07And, uh, Mohamed Wabi is the man who has helped his team get into the driving seat.
10:15But, uh, they need to pull up their socks and go in search of an equalizer.
10:20Paul's staying, uh, on the right side of the paint.
10:23Finally going out.
10:24The man in charge.
10:25Throw in for Masrawi.
10:28Back to, uh, the very solid 8-Burglal.
10:3120 years of age.
10:33Can't pour enough praise in his direction.
10:35Going to a stormy game.
10:37Is, uh, Issa Diop of Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
10:55Of course, this window is, uh, produced two games each for the nation's seeking qualification.
11:10Just not messing around.
11:11Getting the ball back up into enemy territory as quickly as possible.
11:14It does, uh, get picks up there once again.
11:17Now he has been super effective in that attacking midfield role.
11:24Constantly taking the pass, constantly shifting the ball around.
11:30Dealing with pressure.
11:36Ball comes down to Masrawi.
11:38The flag's gone up for offside.
12:10Good ball to Unai.
12:12Unai with a long-range shot.
12:13Well, it's, uh, far too high to scare Moorani.
12:19But I found a bit of space and decided to try and get the shot in.
12:24Trying to understand.
12:25I mean, I'm sure that Mohamed Wabi's saying, we need to get more shots in.
12:29We need to, um, you know, let's, let's make Sekouan Mourani, the goalkeeper for Lesotho,
12:35uncomfortable at the back.
12:37A lot of possession in the final third.
12:39They just can't quite, um, get themselves that final shot in.
12:43They do.
12:47Napola, the Ligabato FC player.
12:57A long-range shot this time, high.
13:03It's been a little bit frustrating.
13:05They do lead, but they just.
13:19Collects it on the right side, Sebari.
13:28Nail El-Enawi, El-Wadi.
13:39Nice pass to El-Khanous.
13:41Here he is.
13:44Azeddin O'Nahi.
13:45Waits for support with Mizrawi coming towards him.
13:50Uh, slowly passing the ball around.
13:52Not being, uh, they're not jumping out of position, but, uh, they are giving,
13:58being given quite a lot of space, Morocco, to make those passes.
14:02That's a good ball.
14:02There's a shot coming in.
14:03It's a straight, direct shot at the goalkeeper Mourani from Brahim Diaz.
14:10As he stands up, they all want to see, uh, Hakimi come on to the pitch and
14:15show us what he's capable of doing.
14:17So, 25 minutes left to play.
14:20It's the Brahim Diaz goal that has separated these two.
14:24There's still lots of football to be played.
14:35Mahimi score of the second goal.
14:38Giving the ball away.
14:39This is dangerous.
14:41Sebari pushes it too far.
14:43It's hamstone by Mourani.
14:46Not a real serious issue there.
14:51He said, he said, you're moving back into the central position with 8 Bud Lala.
15:07Well, it's lofted over the top, and why not a chance for a shot, but it didn't happen.
15:12And coming across is the ever-present 20-year-old 8 Bud Lala.
15:15But good work there from Nio Mokacchani, going to race onto that.
15:21There's Azuli, fresh legs.
15:23Sofiana Rahimi, there's the delivery coming in front post.
15:26But it's headed away immediately there by Makwanazi.
15:30Does a brilliant job.
15:32Clearing the danger.
15:33Now they've got to commit themselves to that defensive block once again.
15:38Just hope that they can pinch the ball and
15:43Connect the cords and head up as quickly as possible.
15:48Into enemy territory.
15:57Intervention coming in from Makpola.
16:02Marco will play Niger twice in November before finishing off with Gabon away.
16:08And Lesotho at home for the matchday six of this group.
16:18Nicely done, bit of space.
16:20Well, that's a good through ball.
16:22Can he get himself three?
16:23He has bounced perfectly there for Elwadi to clear it.
16:27A little bit of extra luck there.
16:29And that could have seen him be all by himself on his own.
16:35Kulahide.
16:36Kulahide.
16:38Nice touch as well.
16:40Now there's Azuli.
16:41Through ball, it goes.
16:43And it's straight into the goalkeeper's hands.
16:47And Rahimi claiming that he was not on the right side of the white line when he touched it, but
16:55Kulahide.
16:55Quickly dismissed.
16:57And straight back into action.
17:01Give the ball away again.
17:03And then they find it back in their path.
17:06Unahi setting up Rahimi, ball over to the left-hand side, it's not pinpoint accuracy, and Sibari couldn't get there,
17:14but look, there's a poor clearance there for Mourane, and they've given the ball back to the Atlas Lions again,
17:19there's Azuli, it's been picked up here, Unahi, Unahi, Unahi, with a shot that's scooped up easily by Mourane, don't
17:27want to make the same mistake twice, he rolls it out.
17:33A little back flick into his path, here he is, Azuli, Sibari, nice ball, but the first touch letting him
17:46down, Lesotho with a chance to try and get themselves out of this defensive conundrum.
18:00Squared ball to Mafatle.
18:09Good work from Unahi, there's the lofted ball over the top, Rahimi collects, he's got an option with Sibari, looks
18:15up, scanning all the way, there's the ball, this pass back, what a great goal that is, Unahi.
18:23And another pass back from this Moroccan, Rahimi, finding that man, El-Sidine Unahi, who slots it into the corner
18:35to make it two goals to nil.
18:39And Mourane, the captain, unable to get near it, that's what they do, Morocco, that's how they play.
18:51And 56 matches played, that was the lofted ball over the top to Sofiano Rahimi, he's already looking up, he
18:57knows exactly where it's going to go.
18:59And it's the open, inside foot, right foot, because he's just placed it into the corner to be the goalkeeper
19:07with force.
19:08It's a perfect finish, it's a perfect finish, and a great...
19:17Kulahile into the penalty box, anybody with a header? That wasn't a bad option, was it?
19:22Mkawanza, Mkawanza unable to get himself on the end of it, and the 32-year-old...
19:43Mkawanza, Mkawanza, Mkawanza, Mkawanza, Mkawanza.
20:00That's nicely done, well, we're getting a serious shot.
20:04They just want to see a shot, has been picked up, great work there from Kulahile.
20:09Long ring shot coming in, brilliant effort, it really was.