Assahafa.com
Morocco will face Gabon, Niger, and Lesotho in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations Pamoja 2027 qualifiers, following Tuesday’s draw at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo.
The Atlas Lions, coached by Mohamed Ouahbi, will need to finish in the top two of their group to secure a place at the finals.
Gabon, led by veteran striker Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang, and Niger, coached by former Morocco boss Badou Zaki, are expected to provide strong competition.
Lesotho completes the group as outsiders but will look to cause surprises.
Match windows
CAF confirmed that the qualifiers will be played across three FIFA international windows:
- Matchdays 1-2: September 21 – October 6, 2026
- Matchdays 3-4: November 9 – 17, 2026
- Matchdays 5-6: March 22 – 30, 2027
The finals are scheduled to begin on June 19, 2027, with the championship match set for July 17. CAF has not yet announced the host nation for the tournament.
Group overview
Morocco enters the qualifiers as reigning AFCON champions, aiming to defend their title.
Group A offers a mix of familiar rivals and fresh challenges, with Gabon’s attacking power, Niger’s tactical discipline, and Lesotho’s determination all posing tests for Ouahbi’s squad.
Across the continent, 12 groups were drawn, including heavyweight clashes such as Egypt vs Angola, Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana, and Senegal vs Mozambique.
Source: Morocco word news
