Morocco escaped a major scare to edge Niger 2-1 in a tense Group E clash on Friday night
The Atlas Lions, semi-finalists at the last World Cup, had to come from behind after a shock early second-half goal from Niger before late heroics spared their blushes.
Despite a bright start by Walid Regragui’s side—with early chances for Sofiane Rahimi and Youssef En-Nesyri—it was Niger who struck first.
After a 47th-minute free kick saw Abdoul Moumouni Sako hit the post, Boubacar Goumey Oumarou was quickest to react and slotted home the rebound, sending the few hundred Nigerien fans into ecstasy.
The goal stunned the home crowd and Morocco struggled to find a response. But Regragui’s triple substitution—bringing on Abde Ezzalzouli, Bilal El Khannouss, and Ismael Saibari—breathed life into the team.
The breakthrough came in the 59th minute when Saibari tapped in at the far post after a clever assist from Brahim Diaz.
Still level deep into stoppage time, Morocco’s pressure paid off. Diaz exchanged a slick one-two with Noussair Mazraoui, whose low cross was calmly finished by El Khannouss in the 91st minute, giving the North Africans all three points.
The win keeps Morocco top of Group E with a six-point cushion, as they prepare to face Tanzania next.
