Morocco beat Gabon 1-0 as Mazraoui seals AFCON qualifying opener

Morocco opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Gabon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with Noussair Mazraoui scoring the only goal of the Group One match.

Mazraoui strike settles Rabat opener

The breakthrough came in the 36th minute, when Mazraoui carried the ball forward and struck a low shot from outside the penalty area.

The Gabon goalkeeper could not hold the effort, with the ball glancing off his hand before rolling into the net.

Goal.com described the scorer as a Manchester United player and said Morocco edged Gabon by a single goal on Friday evening.

The result gave the Atlas Lions a winning start in Group One, where they are drawn alongside Gabon, Niger and Lesotho.

Morocco’s next assignment in the group is away to Lesotho on 29 September in the second round.

Gabon, meanwhile, are scheduled to host Niger in their next Group One fixture.

Why the Group One start matters

The qualifiers involve 48 teams divided into 12 groups.

The top two from nine of those groups will reach the finals.

Only one team qualifies from each of the groups containing the three host nations, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Against that format, a home win in the opening round gives Morocco an immediate advantage in a section that also includes Gabon, Niger and Lesotho.

The match was listed by OneFootball as an opening-round fixture in the Africa Cup of Nations, Qualification 2027 group stage.

That preview said the Morocco vs Gabon match was scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026 at 19:00.

The same preview framed the fixture as a major test for Gabon, who were looking to cause an upset and begin their campaign on a high note.

It also said Morocco were in a strong run of form and had historically had the upper hand in the fixture.

Recent history favoured Morocco

Before this qualifier, OneFootball said the history between Morocco and Gabon showed a competitive rivalry.

Across their last seven encounters, Morocco had won three times, Gabon had won once, and three matches had ended in draws.

That record gave the hosts a clear historical edge heading into the qualifier, according to the preview.

The more recent meetings showed stronger Moroccan dominance, with the Atlas Lions securing 4-1 and 5-1 victories in 2024.

Before that run, the fixture had been tighter, including draws and a narrow 3-2 win for Gabon in 2019.

The preview said the head-to-head record suggested Morocco held the upper hand, especially because of their recent goal-scoring form.

It also noted that Gabon’s past win and the history of draws showed they could still be a tricky opponent.

That context made the opening qualification match an intriguing fixture even before Mazraoui’s first-half goal decided it.

Morocco entered with momentum

OneFootball said Morocco went into the match after a fantastic World Cup 2026 campaign.

The preview said Morocco reached the quarter-finals after drawing with Brazil and the Netherlands.

It said that run ended with a defeat to France.

Goal.com also reported that Morocco bowed out of the 2026 World Cup at the quarter-final stage, beaten 2-0 by France.

OneFootball said Morocco’s World Cup campaign showed their ability to compete at the highest level.

The preview also described Morocco’s recent form as strong, with just one loss in their last 21 matches.

That run included 12 wins and 8 draws.

Before the World Cup, Morocco had shown attacking strength in friendly wins over Burundi and Madagascar.

The preview highlighted a 5-0 win over Burundi and a 4-0 win over Madagascar.

It said that consistency underlined Morocco’s ability to secure positive outcomes.

With no reported injuries, Morocco were described as able to field a full-strength squad.

The preview called that a significant advantage for the hosts.

It said Morocco’s mix of recent top-tier competitive experience, consistent form and a complete team made them a formidable side.

It also said Morocco aimed to carry that momentum into the start of Africa Cup of Nations qualification.

Gabon’s defensive record was a concern

OneFootball said Gabon entered the opening qualifier on a challenging run.

The preview said Gabon were winless in their last six matches.

It said that spell included four defeats in the recent FIFA Series and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Uzbekistan and Ivory Coast.

The same report described that sequence as a notable downturn from Gabon’s solid 2023 World Cup qualifying performances.

Defensive frailty was identified as a major concern for Gabon.

The preview said Gabon had conceded 12 goals in their last five games.

It also said Gabon had conceded three goals in three separate matches during that run.

Although Gabon had scored in four of those encounters, the preview said their poor defence had continually cost them valuable points.

Gabon were also described as having a fully fit squad with no unavailable players.

That allowed the manager his strongest selection for the fixture, according to the preview.

Even so, the same preview said Gabon’s recent poor form and defensive record suggested they would be up against it when facing Morocco.

Probable teams listed before kick-off

OneFootball’s preview listed Yassine Bounou, Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Nayef Aguerd and Anass Salah-Eddine among Morocco’s expected players.

It also listed Neil El Aynaoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Brahim Díaz, Bilal El Khannouss, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Soufiane Rahimi.

For Gabon, the preview listed Jean-Noël Amonome, Anthony Oyono, Aaron Appindangoye, Jérémy Oyono and Jacques Ekomie.

It also listed André Poko, Guélor Kanga, Didier Ndong, Denis Bouanga, Shavy Babicka and Rody Junior Effaghe.

Mazraoui, who appeared in the pre-match Morocco list, went on to score the goal that separated the teams in Rabat.

Predictions pointed to Morocco

Before the match, OneFootball said Morocco came into the contest in exceptional form.

The preview said Morocco had a potent attack that had consistently found the back of the net.

On that basis, it described a home victory combined with over 2.5 total goals as a strong possibility.

It also said Gabon were on a difficult run, having conceded 12 goals in their last five matches.

That defensive vulnerability, the preview argued, suggested Morocco could assert dominance early.

It described Morocco to win the first half as a promising option.

The same preview cited the clear disparity in current form and historical dominance.

It said Morocco were well-positioned for a convincing win.

Its main prediction was for Morocco to overcome a “-1.5 Asian Handicap” and secure a comfortable victory in front of their fans.

The actual result was narrower, with Morocco edging Gabon by a single goal.

Betting information carried a caution

OneFootball said the odds mentioned in its prediction were collected at the time of writing.

It also said those odds were subject to change.

The preview advised readers to check the bookmaker’s site for up-to-date information.

It said additional recommended bets on Morocco vs Gabon were available for those looking for more options.

It also included a section on where to watch Morocco vs Gabon live.

Those elements were part of a pre-match betting and viewing guide rather than the post-match account of Morocco’s 1-0 win.

Opening win keeps Morocco on schedule

For Morocco, the Group One campaign began with the essential result: three points from a home match against Gabon.

For Gabon, the opener extended the pressure around a team that had entered the match winless in its last six games, according to OneFootball.

The difference in Rabat was a single first-half action from Mazraoui, whose low strike from outside the box slipped through the goalkeeper’s attempted save.

Morocco now move from a home opener against Gabon to an away match against Lesotho on 29 September.

Gabon’s next chance to respond comes at home against Niger.