CAF Confirms Morocco’s Opening AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Casablanca – Morocco will begin its campaign in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with two fixtures against Gabon and Lesotho in September, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the official schedule for the opening rounds.

The Atlas Lions will host Gabon on September 25 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. GMT, with South African referee Abongile Tom appointed to oversee the encounter.

Morocco will then travel to South Africa four days later for its second qualifying fixture against Lesotho.

The match will take place on September 29 at 1 p.m. GMT at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. 

Cameroonian referee Abdou Abdel Mefire has been selected to officiate the game.

The two matches will mark Morocco’s first steps toward securing a place at the 2027 AFCON finals, with the national team aiming to establish an early advantage in the qualifying campaign.

Playing Gabon at home will allow Morocco to begin the campaign in front of its supporters before heading to South Africa for what could prove a more demanding away fixture against Lesotho.

The September double-header will also provide the Atlas Lions with an early test as they look to build momentum ahead of the continental tournament.