Morocco have been handed another setback in their preparations for October after Tunisia withdrew from a proposed friendly against the Atlas Lions, with the Carthage Eagles already committed to matches against Mali and Mauritania on October 3 and 6.
The decision creates another challenge for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which must now find a suitable opponent during the upcoming international window.
Mexico and Colombia had previously also pulled out of potential October meetings, leaving Morocco with more work to do to complete their schedule.
October Matters for Ouahbi’s Project
The FRMF had already begun exploring alternatives, with head coach Mohamed Ouahbi keen to use the training camp as an opportunity to introduce new faces and assess their readiness for the national team.
The camp is scheduled to run from September 21 to October 6, providing Ouahbi with valuable time to work with his squad and continue shaping his vision for the next stage of Morocco’s journey.
For the coaching staff, the priority is not simply finding an opponent, it is finding the right opponent.
Two Official Tests Come First
Before Morocco turn their attention to October’s friendlies, the Atlas Lions will first face two official fixtures in September.
Morocco are scheduled to meet Gabon and Lesotho on September 25 and 29 respectively, as part of the qualification campaign for the next Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Those matches will provide Ouahbi with an important competitive platform before the team enters the October camp.
The Search Is On
With the international window approaching, the FRMF is intensifying its contacts to secure a new opponent for Morocco.
The objective is clear: find a team capable of providing a meaningful test that fits Ouahbi’s technical plans, while giving the coaching staff another opportunity to evaluate the squad and build towards the challenges ahead.
The search continues, and whoever eventually steps onto the pitch against the Atlas Lions will become another piece in Morocco’s evolving football story.
A new opponent may be needed, but the mission remains unchanged: keep building, keep growing, and keep pushing Morocco forward.