AFCON-2023 (Day 3): Morocco Officially Qualifies for Round of 16

Between the Boeren and the Atlas Lions, Ismaël Saibari embodies consistency and the early maturity of a fully shaped talent.

Fully blossomed, versatile, and impactful, the Moroccan attacking midfielder for PSV Eindhoven is confirming this season his status as a key player, both for his club and the national team.

At PSV, Saibari appears to have reached a state of maturity where his vision consistently shines through with confidence and composure.

After netting a hat-trick against Feyenoord last week and a brace against Fortuna Sittard this weekend, the Moroccan international continues to prove his importance in Peter Bosz’s tactical setup and squad dynamics.

In a high-flying squad currently leading the Eredivisie, the Atlas Lion is arguably experiencing the most accomplished spell of his young career, gaining momentum and stringing together strong performances with each passing matchday.

Trained in Belgium at Anderlecht and Willebroek, 24-year-old Saibari now confirms what those around him have sensed for months. The Moroccan midfielder has reached a new level, that of sporting maturity. Calm, focused, and technically skilled, he has become one of the key figures in the PSV locker room.

“Ismaël is making impressive progress,” his coach admitted after the victory against Feyenoord. “He has incredible physical strength, but he still needs to learn how to channel it.” This observation reflects the transformation of a talent once held back by injuries and excessive eagerness.

In the Netherlands, observers agree that Saibari has come a long way. The former Genk player has gained in strength and consistency.

Commentator Jeroen Elshoff once compared him to a Formula 1 car. “Everyone knew how fast he could go, but unfortunately, he often drove with three wheels or flat tires,” he remarked humorously on NPO Radio 1.

Today, the tires are fully inflated, and Saibari is paving his way, speeding rapidly towards the top.

Not long ago, his shots still lacked precision, and his impatience revealed his eagerness. “I was too eager to do well,” he admitted after his hat-trick in Rotterdam. This newfound clarity shows a player more aware of his weaknesses and capable of overcoming them.

Bosz explains that he worked with him on balancing power and control. “Before, he often lost his balance after his shots,” he says. But at this stage of his career, Saibari is showcasing his talent and playing with greater control.

This transformation did not happen overnight. Saibari had to change his lifestyle to safeguard his body and stay focused. Sociable, almost too much so, he struggled to pace himself. “When he should have been resting, he preferred to go out and meet his friends. He did it out of kindness, but he paid the price,” his coach points out.

Currently, Saibari allows himself more rest and surrounds himself with a smaller circle. As a result, injuries have become rare, consistency has settled in, and his confidence is growing.

This development is also evident in the national team. Wearing the Moroccan jersey, Saibari has become a key asset for Walid Regragui’s squad. His strength, vision, and ability to break through defenses make him one of the central figures in the midfield of the Atlas Lions.

Valued at 27 million euros, he is now sought after by several European clubs. AC Milan, impressed by his well-rounded profile and rapid progress, reportedly tried to acquire him during the last transfer window, but PSV refused to let him go, convinced that his mission in Eindhoven is not yet over.

A decision that is already paying off. With eight goals in fourteen matches, Saibari ranks second among the top scorers in the Eredivisie. Also decisive in the Champions League, he has found the net against Leverkusen and Napoli.

After a frustrating start, the Moroccan international and undisputed star of PSV is currently enjoying the peak of a rising player, fully aware of his value and in control of his destiny. Eindhoven, Morocco, and perhaps soon all of Europe are witnessing in him far more than just potential, a talent that has reached full maturity.

The Moroccan national football team will play two friendly matches against Mozambique and Uganda, on 14 and 18 November, respectively, at the Grand Stade de Tanger, as part of its preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be hosted by Morocco.

Kick-off for both matches is scheduled for 8:00 p.m., the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said on its official website.

Morocco will compete in Group A of the AFCON, which will take place from 21 December to 18 January, alongside Comoros, Mali, and Zambia.

Morocco’s international players continue to make their mark in Europe, delivering standout performances across various leagues and confirming their growing stature on the continent’s pitches.

On Matchday 9 of the French Ligue 1, Achraf Hakimi led Paris Saint-Germain to a convincing 3–0 victory at Brest, scoring a brace and once again proving why he is regarded as one of the best right-backs in world football. His combination of solid defense and attacking flair highlights his modern, dynamic style of play.

Meanwhile, Youssef El Arabi continued to shine for FC Nantes, contributing decisively to their 2–1 win over Paris FC after having netted the equalizer against Rennes on Matchday 5.

During the Nice vs Rennes match, Sofiane Diop opened the scoring for Nice, who won 2-1, while his compatriot, young defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, trained at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, narrowed the gap for Rennes after coming on as a substitute. 

Meanwhile, international player Hamza Igamane kicked off Lille’s offensive festival against Metz (6-1) by opening the scoring, further illustrating the strong influence of Moroccan players in Ligue 1.

In the English Premier League, striker Chemsdine Talbi distinguished himself by scoring Sunderland’s winning goal against Chelsea in the 93rd minute, earning his team three precious points. 

In the Spanish La Liga, midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, returning from injury, contributed to Girona’s hard-fought draw (3-3) against Oviedo, scoring his team’s second goal. 

In the Dutch league (Eredivisie), Ismael Saibari put in a remarkable performance, scoring a hat trick in PSV Eindhoven’s 3-2 win over Feyenoord, while Oussama Targhalline scored the opposing club’s second goal. 

In Greece, Ayoub El Kaabi brought his total to six goals this season after scoring a penalty in Olympiacos’ 2-0 victory over AEK Athens on matchday 8.

In Tukey, Youssef En-Nesyri also delivered a stellar performance with a brace scored during his team’s match against Gaziantep (4-0) on matchday 10.

Morocco’s international forward Hamza Igamane has established himself as one of Ligue 1’s breakout revelations, according to the Spanish sports daily Marca. The newspaper highlighted the outstanding performances of the LOSC Lille striker, who recently scored what it called the goal of the season.

Signed from Rangers for €11.5 million, Igamane has already netted seven goals and passed several decisive assists in just 378 minutes of play, averaging a direct goal contribution every 47 minutes, according to Marca.

Taking advantage of Olivier Giroud’s absence through injury, the Moroccan forward has quickly stolen the spotlight at Lille, impressing with his power, technique, and composure.

Former LOSC defender Adil Rami has compared him to Ronaldo Nazário, while others have dubbed him “Morocco’s Adriano” for his steel-like nerves and clinical finishing, Marca reports.

Drawing inspiration from Didier Drogba’s style, the young striker showcases a complete and modern centre-forward profile, capable of combining efficiency with creativity.

His coach, Bruno Génésio, praised his exceptional qualities while noting that he still needs to improve his tactical discipline. For Marca, Hamza Igamane is charting the course to become the next Moroccan football emblem of a new generation of players lighting up European pitches.

Already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Morocco’s national football team capped off a flawless African qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Congo on Tuesday night at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

With their 16th in a row across all competitions, the Atlas Lions not only sealed their perfect run in Group E but also set a new world record for consecutive victories, underlining their status as one of the most dominant teams in international football today.

The game’s only goal was scored by Youssef En-Nesyri in the 63rd minute who netted an inch-perfect cross from the captain Achraf Hakimi.

With this victory, the Atlas Lions are the undisputed leaders of Group E with 24 points earned from eight consecutive victories. Walid Regragui’s protégés secured their ticket to the World Cup after their resounding 5-0 victory over Niger in the previous round of African qualifiers.

In addition to qualifying for the World Cup and finishing top of the group, the national team made history by becoming the first team in the world to win 16 consecutive international matches, beating the record jointly held by Germany and Spain (15 consecutive wins).

In the match against Congo, which saw Soufiane El Karouani start at left back and Hamza Igamane as center forward, the Atlas Lions wasted no time in showing threat, with their first clear chance coming in the second minute after a cross from Brahim Diaz that Ismael Saibari failed to convert into a goal.

During the first quarter of an hour of play, the Moroccan players attempted to increase the pace, opting for quick passes in an effort to break through the opposing team’s defensive line.

Relying on counterattacks, the Congolese tried their luck in the 27th minute with a long-range shot, but it posed little threat to Yassine Bounou.

At the end of the first half, the Atlas Lions created two clear chances to open the scoring, notably through Eliesse Ben Seghir, but without success.

After the break, Walid Regragui replaced Eliesse Ben Seghir with Youssef En-Nesyri to make better use of aerial balls. It was a choice that paid off, as En-Nesyri scored the winning goal for the national team in the 63rd minute, following a decisive pass from Achraf Hakimi.

After this goal, the national coach made several changes to inject fresh blood into the team. Ilias Akhomach, Adam Masina, and Ayoub El Kaabi were subbed on for Jawad El Yamiq, Hamza Igamane, and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.

The Atlas Lions dominated the game up until the final whistle, creating numerous scoring opportunities thanks in particular to Ismael Saibari, Ilias Akhomach, and Ayoub El Kaabi, but the Congolese defense held firm and the Moroccan attackers were too hasty, preventing the Atlas Lions from adding to their tally.

The Moroccan national team defeated its Bahraini counterpart 1-0 in a friendly match played Thursday evening at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The winning goal for the Atlas Lions was scored by Jawad El Yamiq in stoppage time (90+4).

In its next match, the Moroccan national team will face Congo on October 14 at the same stadium on the final round of the African World Cup qualifiers (Group E).

The Moroccan team secured its qualification for the 2026 World Cup as early as Matchday 7, by defeating Niger 5-0 on September 5 in Rabat.