Atlas Lions Roar to Commanding First-Half Lead in AFCON Qualifier
Morocco’s national football team, affectionately known as the Atlas Lions, put on a dominant display in the first half of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Central African Republic, racing to a commanding 4-0 lead.
The match, held at the Stade d’Honneur in Oujda, Morocco, saw the home side control the tempo from the outset. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli opened the scoring, setting the stage for a flurry of goals. Azzedine Ounahi quickly doubled the lead, further solidifying Morocco’s dominance.
Star right-back Achraf Hakimi added his name to the scoresheet with a well-taken goal, before Ounahi bagged his second of the night just before the halftime whistle. The goal marked a memorable moment for Ounahi, who continues to impress on the international stage.
The match also saw a first-half substitution for Morocco, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou making way for Munir Mohamedi. While the reason for the change was not immediately clear, it underscored the depth of the Moroccan squad.
Head coach Walid Regragui, who led Morocco to a historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup, fielded a strong starting lineup that included:
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (later substituted for Munir Mohamedi)
Defenders: Nayef Aguerd, Achraf Hakimi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Jawad El Yamiq
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Sofiane Raimi
Forwards: Ilias Chair, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El Kaabi
The victory puts Morocco in a commanding position to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament, which they will host. The Atlas Lions will be looking to build on their recent success and contend for their second AFCON title.
