Egypt regains confidence and Morocco secures second win
Egypt's national team achieved a crushing victory over South Sudan, while Morocco defeated Lesotho in the second round of qualifiers.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Cairo, AFP – Egypt’s national team regained confidence with a commanding 5-0 victory over hosts South Sudan on Tuesday, in the second round of Group 2 qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Morocco secured their second consecutive win, beating Lesotho 2-0 in Group 1.
Egypt’s emphatic triumph came at the National Stadium in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, following the Pharaohs’ goalless draw with Angola in Cairo on Friday, which marked the opening match of the qualifiers.
Mustafa Abdel Raouf “Zico” (36th minute) and Omar Marmoush (49th and 83rd minutes) scored, with substitutes Ibrahim Adel (75th minute) and Hamza Abdel Karim (90+2nd minute) adding to the tally. The victory lifted Egypt to four points at the top of the group, pending the match between Angola and Malawi, scheduled for October 6 in Luanda.
The Atlas Lions moved clear at the summit of Group 1 with six points after defeating Lesotho at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Morocco dominated proceedings, creating numerous chances that failed to find the net, until Ibrahim Da Costa capitalized on a cross from Nabil Akaidi to slot home an easy finish past goalkeeper Sikwani Morani, exploiting confusion in the home side’s defense (45th minute).
The hosts, nicknamed “The Crocodiles,” pushed for an equalizer in the second half, but their efforts remained timid and posed little threat to goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
