Morocco Dominates Niger in World Cup Qualifier

RABAT, Morocco – The Moroccan national football team, the Atlas Lions, continued their perfect run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a convincing 5-0 victory over Niger. The match, which took place at the newly renovated Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, saw the home side assert their dominance from the first whistle.

The win extends Morocco's perfect record in Group E to five wins from five matches, placing them firmly at the top of the standings with 15 points. This puts them in an excellent position to secure direct qualification for the World Cup, a tournament they are hoping to reach for the third consecutive time and seventh in their history.

The Atlas Lions' attacking prowess was on full display, with Ismael Saibari leading the charge with two goals, scoring in the 29th and 38th minutes. Ayoub El Kaabi and Hamza Igamane also found the back of the net in the second half, in the 51st and 69th minutes respectively, while Azzedine Ounahi added a late goal in the 84th minute to complete the rout.

The match was a one-sided affair, highlighted by Niger's Abdoul-Latif Djibril Goumey Diori receiving a second yellow card in the 26th minute, leaving his team with a difficult task of playing with ten men for the majority of the match.

The result aligns with the historical head-to-head record between the two teams. Morocco has now won all of their five encounters against Niger since 2011, with a commanding total of 10 goals scored to just one conceded. The Atlas Lions' recent form has been exceptional, with four wins and one draw in their last five matches across all competitions. In contrast, Niger has struggled, with three draws and two losses in their last five outings.

The sold-out match demonstrated the immense support for the national team, as Moroccan fans packed the stadium, which was officially inaugurated by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan just a day before the game. The victory is a significant step forward in Morocco's quest for World Cup glory and serves as a testament to the team's strength and the nation's growing football infrastructure.