Author: La Redaction
Held to a draw by Mali (1-1) on Friday, December 26, in Rabat, Morocco still saw one of its midfielders rewarded: Naël El Aynaoui was named “TotalEnergies CAF Man of the Match” by the African Football Confederation. This choice highlights the importance of his work in midfield during a match marked by two penalties and a tense scenario until the end. In a match where the Atlas Lions sought to impose their tempo, El Aynaoui made an impact with his reading of second balls, his ability to position himself between the lines, and to secure the build-up, especially when the…
Morocco did not lose, but the story of the evening goes beyond the score: held to a draw by Mali (1-1), the host nation saw its record streak of 19 consecutive victories come to an end. A statistical halt, but above all a brutal reminder: even as favorites and playing at home, Morocco cannot afford to lower its guard in managing the details. The match exposed a harsh reality often seen in tournaments: territorial dominance does not protect against turning-point scenarios. Morocco opened the scoring just before halftime with a penalty, only to concede an equalizer from another penalty after…
Mali put up a resilient performance in Rabat, equalizing from a penalty and holding on until the end despite Morocco’s pressure and significant added time. In a tightly contested Group A, this point holds evident strategic value for the Eagles. After the match, Tom Saintfiet mainly focused on the contentious situations. According to comments reported by the press, the Malian coach stated: “If the referee had awarded the second penalty, we would have won this match,” before adding that he remained “proud” of his team. On the field, Mali relied on a disciplined block, maximum efficiency (one shot on target,…
Held to a draw by a resilient Mali (1-1), Morocco had to settle for a point that leaves their qualification hanging in the balance. Two penalties, two goals, and a scenario that reminds us that the group stage offers no “easy matches,” even at home. In the post-match press conference, Hoalid Regragui emphasized the performance more than the result. According to reports from the press, the coach stated that his team had “controlled the match” and that they “deserved the victory,” while acknowledging the frustration of conceding a draw. The coach also sought to turn this setback into a useful…
Morocco let slip a victory that was within reach against Mali (1-1) on Friday, December 26, in Rabat, during the second day of Group A of CAN 2025. The Atlas Lions had taken the lead with a penalty from Brahim Diaz, only to be equalized, also from the penalty spot, by Lassine Sinayoko. In the mixed zone, Azzedine Ounahi did not look for excuses regarding the performance in the second half. The Moroccan midfielder summed up the turning point of the match in one sentence: “In the second half, we stopped playing.” This observation reflects both the management of the…
Morocco was held to a draw by Mali (1-1) on Friday, December 26, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, during the second matchday of Group A of CAN 2025. In an evening billed as a true test, the Atlas Lions controlled the game for long stretches without truly securing their lead, before being caught in the second half by a disciplined and dangerous Malian Eagles team in transition. From the outset, the match took the form of a tug-of-war. Deprived of Romain Saïss (confirmed absent the day before) and with Achraf Hakimi still being managed physically, Hoalid Regragui…
Kylian Mbappé made a notable appearance this Friday evening at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where he took his seat in the stands to watch the Morocco–Mali match, part of the second day of Group A of the CAN 2025 hosted in Morocco. The presence of the Real Madrid forward was quickly spotted by the crowd in a stadium full of excitement. According to several media outlets, the captain of the French national team traveled at the invitation of Achraf Hakimi, his close friend from their time together at Paris Saint-Germain. Arriving in Rabat the day before with…
The CAF has entrusted the officiating of Morocco–Mali, scheduled for Friday, December 26, 2025, in Rabat for the second day of Group A of CAN 2025, to Cameroonian Abdou Abdel Mefire. At 29 years old, the official is presented as the youngest central referee selected for this edition, a strong signal from the refereeing commission at a time when the tournament is ramping up in intensity from the very first matches that carry ‘psychological’ elimination stakes within the groups. This choice is based on a career already marked by major appointments. Abdou Abdel Mefire had notably been appointed by the…
On Friday, December 26, 2025, the Atlas Lions will face Mali at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (kick-off at 21:00 local time GMT+1) for the second day of Group A. A victory would put Morocco in a strong position and could even secure qualification depending on the group’s configuration. After a successful opening against Comoros (2-0), the coaching staff expects greater control during key moments against an opponent expected to be denser and more athletic. The stakes go beyond just the result: it is also a test of collective maturity, in a stadium that promises to be full and demanding. …
Present at a press conference this Thursday alongside Hoalid Regragui, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal displayed a calm yet determined demeanor on the eve of the Morocco–Mali match (Friday, Rabat), as part of the second day of Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The young defender assured that the team is working under good conditions, with a mindset focused on the demands of the upcoming match. In his remarks, the Stade Rennais player highlighted the daily rigor within the camp, emphasizing adherence to instructions and the responsibility that comes with playing at home. He also reminded that in this…