CAN 2025 Qualifiers: Morocco Shines with a Resounding 5-0 Victory Over the Central African Republic
In a display of mastery and talent, the Moroccan national football team dominated their Central African counterparts on Saturday evening at the Stade d’Honneur in Oujda, securing a commanding 5-0 win in the third round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Already qualified as the host nation, the Atlas Lions approached this match with seriousness and determination, once again proving that they are among the favorites for this prestigious tournament. Against a powerless Central African Republic team, Walid Regragui’s players delivered a masterful performance, worthy of their status.
The evening began with a bang as Abdessamad Ezzalzouli opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a precise strike, setting the tone for this one-sided encounter. The young winger, always dangerous, put the Central African defense under pressure from the start.
Midfielder Azzeddine Ounahi, in superb form, then took over, scoring a brace (38th and 45+2nd minutes), once again showing his ability to be decisive in key moments. Between these two goals, the inevitable Achraf Hakimi, a true dynamo on the right flank, added a powerful strike in the 45th minute, sealing a first half thoroughly dominated by Morocco.
In the second half, the Atlas Lions left nothing to chance. Soufiane Rahimi, coming on with his usual confidence, added a fifth goal from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, confirming Morocco’s superiority in the match.
This convincing victory reinforces Morocco’s status as one of the top contenders for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Even though they are already qualified, Walid Regragui’s men continue to demonstrate impressive consistency in these qualifiers, cementing their top spot in Group B with 9 points, following earlier victories over Gabon (4-1) and Lesotho (1-0).
This match against the Central African Republic, far from being a mere formality, allowed the coach to refine his tactical choices and test new elements while maintaining continuity in the team’s play. With talents like Ounahi, Ezzalzouli, Hakimi, and Rahimi, the Moroccan squad seems to have found the perfect balance between youth and experience, promising excellent results for the future.
While the Atlas Lions ride a wave of success, the situation is more complicated for the other teams in the group. The Central African Republic, despite an initial win against Lesotho (3-1), now sits in third place with only 3 points. Meanwhile, Gabon, held to a draw by Lesotho (0-0) last Friday, remains in second place with 4 points.
This scenario places Morocco in a strong position, with their qualification already secured, allowing them to approach the remaining matches with confidence, fine-tuning their preparations ahead of the grand tournament in 2025.
Abderrazzak Boussaid/Le7tv
