Morocco Dominates Gabon 4-1 in AFCON 2025 Qualifier Opener

Hakim Ziyech quickly opened the scoring on a penalty in the 9th minute. Despite a missed opportunity to equalize by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Morocco doubled the lead thanks to a second penalty converted by Ziyech.

The Gabonese Panthers managed to reduce the gap before half-time thanks to a penalty from Aubameyang, but the Atlas Lions came back even hungrier in the second half. Brahim Diaz scored his first goal in the Moroccan colors, followed by a fourth goal signed Ayoub El Kaabi on a decisive pass from Azzedine Ounahi.

This victory places Morocco at the top of Group B with three points, tied with the Central African Republic. Lesotho and Gabon bring up the rear with zero points. Although already qualified as host country, Morocco intends to continue its momentum in its next match against Lesotho next Monday.