September 06, 2024 11:21 PM
Alex Lawes

Lesotho vs Morocco Preview & Prediction | 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group B

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Despite having already qualified for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations as the host nation, Morocco are competing in the qualifiers and they began with a 4-1 hammering of Gabon, whilst Lesotho themselves were also comfortably beaten in their opener.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 8th September, 2024 - UK – 7:00pm / US ET – 2:00pm / US PT – 11:00am

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – beIN Sports streaming platforms

LESOTHO PREVIEW: POOR START

Leslie Notsi is in charge of what does appear to be a poor Lesotho side. The Crocodiles are ranked 149th in the world by FIFA and are widely regarded as one of, if not the, weakest side in the group stages of AFCON qualification.

They began their campaign with a 3-1 defeat to the Central African Republic at the neutral venue of Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida in Morocco. They were quite fortunate to have only suffered a 3-1 loss.

MOROCCO PREVIEW: ESTABLISHING DOMINANCE

Walid Regragui’s Moroccans reached the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar but the Atlas Lions will now be turning their attention to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations by winning the tournament for the first time since 1976.

They hammered Gabon by four goals to one in an impressive and emphatic manner in Agadir the other day with Hakim Ziyech scoring a brace of penalties before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his own before the break. Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi completed the rout in the second-half.

LESOTHO TEAM NEWS: LIKELY TO BE UNCHANGED

Lesotho don’t really have the depth to make many changes and with no injury issues or suspension concerns, they are likely to be unchanged for this one.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Moerane; Malane, Makhele, Rasethuntsa, Matlabe; Lebokollane, Matsau; Sefali, Fothoane, Thaba-Ntso; Motebang

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

MOROCCO TEAM NEWS: POSSIBLE ROTATION

Unlike Lesotho, Morocco have an array of stars and depth to select from so they will actually be able to rest and rotate should they so choose, especially having already qualified.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Bono; Mazraoui, Abqar, Ageurd, Hakimi; Amrabat, El Khannouss; Brahim Diaz, Ziyech, Abde Ez; El Kaabi

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

LESOTHO VS MOROCCO PREDICTION

This is a real mis-match. The argument can be fairly made that Lesotho are the worst team in this stage of the tournament, whilst Morocco are the best. That suggestion was reflected in the opening performances and results of both sides. As a result, it would be a fair and probably still good value bet to back a hefty Moroccan win – especially with the game actually still being played in Morocco.

LESOTHO VS MOROCCO TIP: MOROCCO TO WIN -1 HANDICAP

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