Morocco Host Niger in AFCON 2027 Qualifier as Group A Leaders
Morocco were set to host Niger at Casablanca's Mohammed V Stadium in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, their first game at the venue since June 2022. The rebuilt ground has since hosted AFCON 2025 matches.
Morocco were set to host Niger at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Friday in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. It was the national team's first appearance at the venue since June 2022. Morocco vs Niger pits the Group A leaders against a side on three points.
A lot has changed since the Atlas Lions last played there. Morocco have reached two straight World Cup knockout stages, changed coaches twice and brought in a new generation of players.
Morocco have won both qualifiers so far. They beat Gabon 2-0 at home and Lesotho 2-0 away in September. They lead the group with six points and a goal difference of +4.
Niger have won one and lost one. They beat Lesotho 2-1 at home but lost 2-0 away to Gabon, leaving them on three points with a goal difference of -1. Gabon also have three points, and Lesotho have none.
Niger's latest result before the match was a 2-1 friendly defeat away to Algeria. Morocco's was a 1-1 friendly draw.
Mohamed Ouahbi has coached Morocco since March 2026, when he replaced Walid Regragui. His squad mixes experienced internationals with younger players.
Ouahbi previously led Morocco to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup title in Chile, where the young Atlas Cubs beat Argentina 2-0 in the final. At the 2026 World Cup, the senior side reached the quarter-finals before losing 2-0 to France. Ouahbi told reporters he remembered watching Morocco's 2022 win over DR Congo on television.
On March 29, 2022, Morocco beat DR Congo 4-1 at the stadium in the second leg of a World Cup qualifying playoff. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, with Tarik Tissoudali and Achraf Hakimi adding the others. That win sent Morocco to Qatar 2022, where Regragui, who had replaced Vahid Halilhodzic, led them to the semi-finals.
Morocco's last game at the venue came on June 13, 2022, a 2-0 AFCON qualifier win over Liberia. Liberia were officially the home side because they lacked an approved stadium. Fayçal Fajr and Youssef En-Nesyri scored.
The ground opened in 1955 and is nicknamed "Donor". It is closely tied to the rivalry between Raja and Wydad, Casablanca's two big clubs.
It closed in October 2023 and underwent major renovation between March 2024 and March 2025. According to figures from the National Agency for Public Equipment (ANEP), the work included replacing 45,000 seats and installing a new hybrid pitch. Dressing rooms, lighting, surveillance systems and media facilities were also upgraded.
The stadium reopened on April 12, 2025, with the Casablanca derby between Raja and Wydad. It then hosted group-stage matches, a round-of-16 tie and the third-place playoff at AFCON 2025.
