-“This time, the trophy is our dream.”

By KUNLE SOLAJA, Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat

While many African teams are still entangled in the arithmetic of World Cup qualification, Morocco – the first on the continent to book a spot at the 2026 finals – have already set their sights higher.

Before demolishing Niger Republic 5-0 on Friday night at the newly remodelled Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, the message from the stands was clear. A massive banner stretched across a section of the stadium declaring: “This time, the trophy is our dream.”

At 2026 World Cup, Morocco will will be unbreakable, unstoppable and not afraid of any team – The Atlas Lions have warned!

Above the inscription was another giant display: the iconic Atlas Lion, Morocco’s national team symbol, clutching the World Cup trophy.

With world-class organisation, huge investments in infrastructure, and a deliberate strategy in human capital development, Morocco have every reason to dream big.

After all, their World Cup journey has always been about breaking barriers for Africa.

In 1970, Morocco became the first African side to score a goal at the World Cup when Mohammed Houmane Jari struck against West Germany in Mexico.

Just days later, they earned Africa’s first-ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria – also in Mexico, which will again co-host the 2026 edition.

At Mexico ’86, sixteen years later, Morocco stunned the world. They became the first African team to top a World Cup group. They beat a power-packed Group F that comprised England, Portugal, and Poland.

They came very close to shocking West Germany in the Round of 16. However, a late strike by Lothar Matthäus ended their run.

Coincidentally, Ezzaki Badou is the coach of Niger Republic in Friday’s match. He was the captain and goalkeeper for Morocco at the Mexico ’86 World Cup.

In France ’98, Said Belqola made history as the first and only African referee to officiate a World Cup final.

And in Qatar 2022, the Atlas Lions went further than any African or Arab nation had ever gone, reaching the semi-finals and captivating the world.

Now, the ambition has grown bolder. Another banner unveiled in front of the grandstand on Friday night carried a chilling warning to rivals: “UNBREAKABLE; UNSTOPPABLE; UNAFRAID.”

The world has been warned! The Atlas Lions are not just going to the 2026 World Cup. They are going there to roar.

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By KUNLE SOLAJA, Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat

Morocco have once again underlined their dominance in African football. They became the first nation from the continent to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They accomplished this in emphatic fashion.

The Atlas Lions secured a 5-0 victory over Niger Republic in Rabat on Saturday. This match marked their first outing at the newly refurbished Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. It was a statement victory.

The result sealed their place at the expanded 48-team finals with two qualifying matches still to play.

With Eritrea’s withdrawal reducing Group E to five teams, Morocco’s qualification was always within reach.

But their ruthless demolition of Niger left no doubts about their intent. The stadium was filled to capacity. It roared on Achraf Hakimi and his teammates. They produced a dazzling display befitting their status as Africa’s top-ranked side.

Ismael Saibari opened the scoring in the 20th minute from Youssef Belammari’s cross. He doubled the lead just before half-time by tapping in Hakimi’s cutback.

 Ayoub El Kaabi added a third shortly after the restart from another Belammari assist, while substitute Hamza Igamane grabbed his maiden international goal from a clever corner routine.

Azzedine Ounahi put the icing on the cake with a curling strike to complete the rout.

The comfortable win means Morocco’s remaining fixtures — an away trip to Zambia and a home tie against Congo — are now mere formalities.

Saturday’s occasion carried added symbolism: it was not only Morocco’s first match at the redeveloped Moulay Abdellah Complex, but also a showcase of the stadium that will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final and later serve as a venue when the kingdom co-hosts the 2030 World Cup.

Eight other group winners will join Morocco in booking automatic spots for 2026, while the four best runners-up will head into play-offs for a chance at an intercontinental berth.

This day will remain etched in the annals of Moroccan football. With this resounding victory, the Atlas Lions have secured their place in the World Cup for the third consecutive time and the seventh in their history.

Walid Regragui’s men needed just one point to formalise their qualification. They ultimately collected three, and in style, to the delight of the tens of thousands of fans in the stands and millions more watching.

 With 18 points from six matches, they sit atop Group E, now out of reach of their pursuers.

The inauguration of the Moulay Abdellah Complex, which hosted its first match after a complete reconstruction, transformed the evening into a veritable popular celebration. By 4 p.m., Moroccan fans had invaded the grounds and stands of the stadium, coloring the stadium red and green, and giving their voices relentlessly.

On the pitch, Achraf Hakimi’s teammates put on a show, while in the stands, chants, tifos and flags created a grandiose scene, worthy of a great football evening.Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has grown increasingly complicated after the latest round of Group C qualifiers produced results that tilted the balance firmly against the Super Eagles.

South Africa, already leading the group, reinforced their dominance with a routine 3-0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein.

Though officially a Lesotho “home game,” the tie was staged in South Africa — and Bafana Bafana took full advantage.

That victory lifted them to 16 points, creating a commanding gap at the top of the table.

In Abidjan, Benin Republic kept their campaign alive with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Zimbabwe, moving to 11 points and leapfrogging Nigeria in the standings.

The result means that even if the Super Eagles defeat Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday, they will only climb to 10 points — still trailing Benin and a daunting six points adrift of South Africa.

The real crunch lies ahead: Nigeria must then travel to Blomfontein for a decisive away clash against the group leaders.

Anything short of victory would effectively hand South Africa an unassailable advantage, especially with the rest of their fixtures scheduled at home.

For a Nigerian side already under scrutiny after a string of unconvincing performances, the permutations underline just how perilous their situation has become. Saturday’s meeting with Rwanda is no longer just about three points — it is about keeping their fading World Cup hopes alive.