Mohamed Ouahbi finished Morocco’s October international window with a positive assessment despite the Atlas Lions being held to a 1–1 draw by Mali in Tangier.
After opening the camp with consecutive 2–0 victories over Gabon and Lesotho in AFCON 2027 qualifying, Morocco were given a much tougher examination in their final match.
For Ouahbi, that was exactly what the coaching staff wanted.
A Strong Opponent Was the Objective
Rather than seeking an easier opponent to close the camp, Morocco deliberately wanted a demanding final test.
The coach welcomed the quality and intensity provided by the visitors, believing the match gave his players the kind of challenge that can accelerate their development.
- “We didn’t want to end the camp with an easy match. We’re very happy to have faced a strong team that caused us problems and showed a lot of quality.”
The encounter ultimately delivered that test, with both sides showing periods of control and Morocco forced to find solutions against a well-organised opponent.
Morocco Found It Difficult to Break Through
The Atlas Lions took the lead through Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who converted a penalty in the 35th minute.
However, Morocco struggled at times to find clear routes through the opposition's defensive structure, particularly through the centre of the pitch.
Ouahbi acknowledged that difficulty while also pointing to an improvement after the interval.
- “We found it difficult to play through the middle at times, but we improved in the second half and took greater control of the game.”
The observation provides an important area for the coaching staff to address as the team continues to develop its attacking structure.
Progress Under Pressure
Despite those difficulties, the coach was encouraged by Morocco's ability to maintain possession and deal with the pressure applied by their opponents.
The visitors attempted to press and disrupt Morocco's build-up, but Ouahbi felt his players generally handled that challenge well.
- “We showed good qualities, and our opponents found it very difficult to press us and win the ball back.”
That aspect was particularly significant for a team looking to establish a clear identity under the new coach.
The Draw Brings More Lessons
The equaliser eventually arrived through Gaoussou Diarra in the 77th minute, preventing Morocco from completing a third consecutive victory during the window.
Rather than focusing solely on the dropped points, Ouahbi viewed the match as another opportunity to identify what needs to be refined.
The coaching staff saw several positive elements throughout the camp, but the demanding final test also exposed areas where the team can become more effective.
- “We saw a lot of positive things during this camp, but there are still areas we need to work on and improve.”
A Productive International Window
Morocco therefore finish the camp unbeaten, with victories over Gabon and Lesotho followed by the draw against Mali.
The three matches also gave Ouahbi opportunities to rotate his squad, assess different combinations and introduce players into the national-team environment.
For a coach continuing to shape his team's identity, the variety of challenges across the window offered valuable information.
Building Toward the Next Challenge
Ouahbi ultimately believes the camp achieved its purpose.
- “We leave this camp satisfied. It was very useful for us, and we will continue to develop and grow.”
The focus now shifts toward the next stage of Morocco's AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, where the Atlas Lions will face Niger twice in November.
The results have provided a strong foundation. The lessons from Tangier, meanwhile, offer Ouahbi and his staff a clearer picture of where further progress is needed.