OUJDA, Morocco — Morocco go take on Niger for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers on Friday, March 21, 2025, for Stade d'Honneur for Oujda. Dis match fit decide if Morocco go qualify automatically after dem don gather nine points from three matches, while Niger dey hunt for play-off chance as dem sit on six points after some ups and downs.
Niger start dem campaign with one 1-0 loss to Tanzania back in November, but dem bounce back with 2-1 victory over Zambia and also collect three points when Congo no show up. But since then, dem no fit win any match for four games – dem don lose one to Burkina Faso and draw three, raising concern over their current form.
On top historical records, Niger don face Morocco four times and dem never win. Dem don concede eight goals without replying. Coach Badou Zaki, wey be legendary goalkeeper for Morocco, go lead Niger as dem face him motherland for dis crucial encounter. “E go sweet as I go hear di Moroccan anthem, but dis time I no go dey inside am,” Zaki talk during di press conference.
Morocco, on di other hand, dey shine bright, with dem don win di last eight matches and go into dis game as favorites after hot form wey see dem score 21 goals in four matches while conceding just once. Coach Walid Regragui don build a solid squad wey dey show plenty confidence going into dis match.
“We don dey play well, we sabi say we go face Niger for dem home turf. We go give our best to win di match,” Regragui talk before di game.
Niger coach Zaki don name 25-man squad wey get some young talents as dem prepare for dis match, while Morocco dey struggle with injuries to important players like Jamal Harkass. Regragui don bring in new faces to beef up di squad, hoping to keep di winning streak alive.
Predicted lineup for Niger includes Tanja; Garba, Katakore, Sako, Alhassane; Hainikoye, Mohamed, Badamassi, Amoustapha; Sosah. For Morocco, dem fit start with Bono; Mazraoui, Aguerd, Harkass, Hakimi; Amrabat, Ounahi; Saibari, Ben Seghir, Diaz; En-Nesyri.
This game be crucial for Niger to maintain dem qualification hopes, while Morocco dey on top, as dem ready to seal automatic ticket given their current form.
