Soufiane Rahimi on target as Morocco win Afcon opener while Mohamed Salah and Egypt left frustrated
Reigning champions Morocco started their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Gabon which saw Al Ain attacker Soufiane Rahimi come off the bench to score the crucial second goal in Rabat. The Atlas Lions, who were knocked out in this summer's World Cup finals by France at the quarter-final stage, took the lead in the 36th minute courtesy of Manchester…
Morocco kicked off their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Gabon, marking their opening match in Rabat. The team's manager, Mohamed Ouahbi, made a strategic decision to give 21-year-old forward Yassir Zabiri his first senior start, who contributed with a goal in the 77th minute. However, it was 15-year-old Soufiane Rahimi who sealed the win in the 82nd minute with a decisive strike from a low cross, marking his 15th goal in 44 appearances for Morocco.
The emotional Rahimi paid tribute to his late father, Mohamed "Youaari" Rahimi, by displaying one of his shinpads featuring his father's image.
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