Morocco solidified its position in the qualifying race for the 2026 World Cup with a thrilling 1-2 victory against Niger on March 21, 2025. The match, originally scheduled as a road game for Niger, was held in Oujda, Morocco, due to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) not approving any stadiums in Niger.
As the current leaders of Group E, Morocco came into this match seeking to secure their fourth consecutive win in the qualification series. The Moroccan national team, coached by Walid Regragui, is aiming for swift qualification after placing fourth in the last World Cup held in Qatar. The victory against Niger has further cemented their position at the top of the group, raising their point tally to 12.
The match kicked off at 21:30 local time, with Moroccan fans buzzing with anticipation. However, the home crowd fell quiet when Niger's Youssef Oumarou scored the opening goal just minutes after the start of the second half, giving Niger a surprise lead.
Moroccan football fans had every reason to worry; Niger, needing crucial points to stay in contention, appeared to have the momentum. But the Moroccan squad quickly rallied, showcasing their strength and determination. Twelve minutes later, a turning point arrived when substitute Ismael Saibari took center stage. He capitalized on a flick-on from Youssef En-Nesyri to find the back of the net, drawing Morocco level.
"Every goal counts, and we're focused on qualifying. We will not take our feet off the pedal," commented Saibari after the match, highlighting the cutthroat competition in Group E.
As the game approached its conclusion, tensions ran high. Miraculously, in stoppage time, Bilal El Khannouss secured the winning goal with a powerful header. He was assisted by Noussair Mazraoui, who delivered a perfectly threaded cross that left Niger's defense helpless. The Moroccan team erupted in celebration, knowing this win could be pivotal in their quest for World Cup qualification.
With this victory now under their belts, Morocco leads Group E, followed by Tanzania and Niger, both holding six points. The suspension of Congo-Brazzaville from the group, due to governmental interference in football matters, has made Group E even more favorable for Morocco.
"We are very happy for Ismael, he's been delivering and is a great asset to the team," remarked Regragui, proud of his player's contributions and the team's performance. The win not only enhances their points but also boosts the team's morale as they look ahead to their next match against Tanzania.
In that upcoming fixture on March 25, Morocco will aim to further solidify its leading position. The expectation is high among fans and analysts since victory will inch them even closer to qualification.
As the African football narrative unfolds, Morocco is poised to make history by returning to the World Cup stage. If they continue this form, the team could indeed represent Africa with substantial pride in the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Though the road ahead is still fraught with challenges, Morocco has shown they're more than ready to embrace the pressure. Their collective passion, combined with tactical prowess put forth by Regragui and his squad, may just lead them to a successful journey in their quest for World Cup glory.
