Morocco Keeps the Winning Streak Alive: 4-0 Rout Sends a Clear AFCON Message
18 November 2025
Morocco keeps the momentum as AFCON approaches
Morocco’s national team extended its remarkable run with a 4-0 victory over Uganda on Tuesday night at Ibn Battouta Stadium in Tangier, as they sharpened their form ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted in the country from December 21 to January 18.
The goals came from Ashay Herbert’s own goal in the fourth minute, Ismail Sabiri’s strike on 33 minutes, and late substitutes Sofiane Rahimi (78/79) from the spot and Bilal Khannous (88) sealing the win.
Since that infamous January 30, 2024 defeat to South Africa in the AFCON quarterfinals, the Atlas Lions have not tasted defeat in 20 matches, recording 19 wins and one draw, including 18 consecutive wins in all competitions. The team’s schedule since then has included World Cup 2026 qualifiers, AFCON qualifying matches, and a series of friendlies that kept the run alive.
Coach Walid Regragui reshuffled the lineup to test different formations and players, while noting positive takeaways from the match. He emphasized that offensive sharpness and defensive solidity are both essential if Morocco is to lift the continental title on home soil for a second time after 1976.
"Of course I made changes from the previous game, but what mattered was our attacking effectiveness and defensive resilience," Regragui said. "We are confident in the quality of our players and in the strength of our bench, because to win the AFCON you must beat any opponent."
He added that the fans’ expectations are natural given the team’s recent trajectory and that the tournament being hosted in Morocco adds extra motivation to deliver a memorable triumph for the home supporters.
In a note of optimism for Hakimi’s return from injury, the camp reported that Ashraf Hakimi has resumed natural rehabilitation ahead of the scheduled start of December, with daily touchpoints between the national team medical staff and his club in Paris. If all goes well, the Paris Saint-Germain star could feature in the opening match against Comoros or the following game against Mali, depending on medical clearance. The coaching and medical teams are coordinating closely to ensure a safe and effective comeback, with activity increasing at the training center in Rabat.
The Moroccan camp has posted images of Hakimi training and undergoing conditioning work, wearing an ankle brace but showing clear determination to rejoin his teammates as soon as possible. French outlet Canal+ Sport has echoed the same sentiment, reporting Hakimi’s resolve to return swiftly to help Morocco pursue the AFCON and European ambitions in the same season.
Meanwhile, PSG is reportedly exploring a winter signing to cover for Hakimi’s potential absence, as Luis Enrique continues to rotate players and deploy others out of their usual positions. Interest has been noted in versatile defenders, with Barcelona also rumored to be weighing a new contract as part of broader transfer dynamics surrounding the Atlas Lions’ star couple of weeks ahead of AFCON.
Ultimately, Morocco’s path to success remains firmly in their own hands, bolstered by a deep squad, a confident coach, and a nation hungry for continental glory on home soil.
Punchlines: If football is music, Morocco just handed us a symphony—and the conductor doesn’t miss a beat. And if defense could be a dating app, Morocco just matched with every striker in Africa and kept all the right swipes—no regerts, just goals.
