Preview: Morocco vs Gabon – Prediction, team news, lineups

Morocco will host Gabon at the Stade Adrar on Friday in a African Cup of Nations Qualifying matches with the aim of extending their winning streak in all competitions to three games.

Since Morocco will host the next edition of this tournament in 2025, its participation in these qualifiers is a mere formality.

Game Preview

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Morocco's reputation rose following the country's impressive performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where it became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

Although they were among the favorites at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, they were eliminated in the round of 16 after a 2-0 defeat to South Africa.

Still under the leadership of Walid RegraguiThe Atlas Lions have returned to winning ways, winning against Zambia (2-1) and Congo (6-0) in their final FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Striker of Olympiacos Ayoub El Kaabi was the star of the match against Congo and scored a hat-trick, while Azzedine Ounahi, Chadi Riad And Soufiane Rahimi were also on the match report sheet.

While Morocco's participation in the next AFCON is already assured, the team will use these qualifiers as preparation for the tournament.

The Atlas Lions have only won the AFCON title once in their history, in 1976, when the competition was played in a round-robin format, with the last four players standing instead of a knockout round. It was the second (1959 was the first) and last time the round-robin format was used.

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Gabon wants to secure its place in the Africa Cup of Nations and will compete in a group that also includes Lesotho and the Central African Republic.

The Panthers, who did not participate in the last edition, have participated in the tournament nine times, with their best results coming in 1996 and 2012, when they reached the quarterfinals on both occasions.

Thierry MouyoumaThe team have shown good form in World Cup qualifying, winning three of their four matches, including a 3-2 victory over Gambia in their last game.

Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Jim AllevinahAnd Denis Bouanga were the key to victory, all three of them were on the scoresheet.

Historically, Gabon has a positive record against Morocco with four wins, two draws and two losses in ten matches, with the team remaining unbeaten in the last two encounters.

Morocco – Africa Cup of Nations qualification form:

Morocco Form (All Competitions):

Qualification form for the Gabon Africa Cup of Nations:

Gabon Form (All Competitions):

Team News

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Regragui has extended his stay at West Ham Nayef Aguerd and Ounahi, who has just signed a loan deal with Greek club Panathinaikos FC, although both players hardly get any playing time at their clubs.

After his heroics against Congo, El Kaabi hopes to take his place as the linchpin of the Moroccan attack ahead of Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri.

As for Gabon, the attacking trio of Aubameyang, Allevinah and Bouanga are in the squad and will once again try to make the difference.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Mario Lemina will probably be the midfield alongside Güelor Kanga And Medwin Biteghe.

Possible starting eleven for Morocco:
Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Allah; Ounahi, Azzouzi; Ziyech, Diaz, Seghir; En-Nesyri

Gabon possible starting eleven:
Noubi; Obiang, Appindangoye, Ecuele Manga, Oyono; Biteghe, Kanga, Lemina; Bouanga, Allevinah, Aubameyang

We think: Morocco 1-1 Gabon

Morocco have already qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations as hosts, which may affect their enthusiasm for this match as it will only be a warm-up match for them. Given their difficulties against Gabon, we believe the visitors can get a result here.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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