On Friday evening, the Moroccan national team triumphed over Gabon with a commanding 5-1 victory at Dangondji Stadium in Franceville, during the fifth round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which will be hosted by Morocco late next year.
Morocco, having secured qualification as the host nation, increased their total to 15 points, achieving a perfect score and occupying the top position. In contrast, Gabon, which has also qualified for the finals, remains at 7 points in second place. Lesotho holds the third position with four points, trailing by one point behind the Central African Republic, which is in fourth and last place.
Gabon initially took the lead in the 4th minute with a goal from Denis Bouanga. However, Morocco quickly responded, with Jamal Harkas equalizing in the 17th minute, followed by Brahim Diaz scoring the second goal just three minutes later. Diaz then netted his second goal and Morocco’s third shortly thereafter, while Youssef En-Nesyri added a fourth goal in the 80th minute. Ismail Saibari capped off the scoring with a fifth goal in the 90th minute. Gabon opened the scoring just four minutes into the match when Denis Bouanga, after receiving a pass from Joelor Kanga, unleashed a powerful shot that Yassine Bounou could not save.
Following this, Gabon intensified their offensive efforts, with Aubameyang having a goal disallowed for offside in the 10th minute, and then narrowly missing with a header that went just over the bar in the 12th minute. In response to Gabon’s aggressive play, Morocco began to find their footing, equalizing in the 16th minute through a header from Harkas, following a free kick delivered by Hakimi. Just three minutes later, Brahim Diaz scored the second goal for Morocco, converting a corner kick that found its way into the net. In the 23rd minute, Diaz struck again, scoring his second goal and Morocco’s third. The remainder of the first half saw no further changes, and the referee signaled the end of the half with Morocco leading 3-1. During the second half, the Moroccan team eased their pressure somewhat, while Gabon sought to regroup and mount attacks against Yassine Bounou’s goal. Moroccan coach Walid Regragui made strategic substitutions, bringing on Zakaria Aboukhlal and Youssef En-Nesyri in place of Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi. In the 80th minute, En-Nesyri scored the fourth goal for Morocco, receiving a well-placed pass from Ismail Saibari to find the back of the net.
