High-stakes finale in Rabat
At 20:00 this Tuesday, the lights of Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium will pick out two very different stories. Morocco, already safely aboard the 2026 World Cup train, welcomes Congo-Brazzaville, eliminated yet determined to exit the qualifiers with heads held high.
National pride, not mathematics, now drives the Diables Rouges. A competitive display against the continent’s form team could galvanise a squad undergoing renewal and reassure millions of Congolese supporters following proceedings on television, radio and social networks.
Morocco’s spotless run in figures
The Atlas Lions arrive with seven wins from seven, 21 goals scored and just two conceded, according to Confederation of African Football records. Their fluid 4-3-3, led by Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri, has overpowered rivals from kick-off to stoppage time.
Walid Regragui’s men also enjoy fortress statistics at home. They have not lost a competitive fixture in Rabat for five years, an unbeaten streak widely documented by Moroccan media outlet Le Matin and echoed by FIFA’s own match centre.
Yet complacency rarely creeps into the North African camp. Captain Romain Saïss reminded journalists that ‘qualifiers forge habits; we want perfection every match’, a statement replayed by national television channel 2M on Monday evening.
Congo’s lessons from a tough campaign
Congo’s journey through Group E has been anything but smooth. Administrative delays, minor injuries to senior players and a goal drought of 0.7 per game left Paul Put’s side stuck on nine points, out of reach of the sole qualification place.
The Belgian technician, appointed last year, insists the setbacks also exposed room for growth. ‘When football hurts, it teaches,’ he told Télé Congo. ‘Discipline off the ball and sharper finishing are non-negotiable if we want to return among Africa’s top ten.’
Statistically the Diables Rouges attempted 104 shots across seven outings, but only 28 hit the target, according to the CAF data hub. Conversely, half of the goals conceded came from set pieces, an area assistant coach Hugues Ngouabi has drilled daily in camp.
Paul Put focuses on mindset
Put knows the mental hurdle of facing a FIFA top-thirty side can be greater than the tactical one. He has therefore spent much of the Rabat preparation urging his players to ‘enjoy the challenge’ rather than fear reputations.
Leadership will come from goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi, whose double save against Zambia in June still trends on TikTok, and from midfielder Charles Pickel, back from suspension. Both underlined the importance of ‘clean transitions’ during Monday’s closed-door video session.
Observers note a relaxed atmosphere at the team hotel in Sale. Players joked with visiting schoolchildren and filmed short message reels for fans in Brazzaville, gestures the federation hopes will rebuild a bond weakened by earlier defeats.
Rising talents seize their moment
Many eyes will turn to 21-year-old winger Bersyl Obassi, fresh from a breakthrough season at AC Léopards. His pace earned him two penalties during qualifiers, and scouts from Ligue 1 side Lorient are reportedly in the stands, claims sports daily L’Equipe.
Prince Ibara, the rangy striker once compared to Emmanuel Adebayor, has regained confidence after three goals in the Algerian league this month. ‘I have nothing to lose; I only need one chance,’ he smiled on Radio Mucodek before boarding the flight.
Another potential debutant is Juvhel Tsoumou, dual-national forward called up late due to Guy Mbenza’s hamstring issue. At 1.90 m, his aerial threat could hurt Morocco’s back line if Put opts for direct play in the final quarter.
Supporters keeping the faith
About 200 Congolese expatriates, many studying in Casablanca, organised a bus convoy to Rabat with drums, flags and prepaid data bundles for live-streaming. Local embassy officials assisted with permits, underscoring institutional support for the team’s morale mission.
Back home, viewing parties bloom in Brazzaville’s Talangaï district and Pointe-Noire’s beach cafés, boosted by telecom operators offering free midnight data. ‘Win or lose, we want to see fighting spirit,’ says student Clarisse Mayoukou, her face painted in red and blue.
Beyond 2026: building for CAN 2025
Whatever the scoreline, federation president Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas will meet Put next week to outline a roadmap toward the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Emphasis is expected on youth academies, sports science partnerships and more friendlies at the renovated Massamba-Débat stadium.
For players and fans alike, Rabat can serve as both closure and ignition. A courageous performance could reset narratives, attract sponsorship and, above all, inspire grassroots football in Brazzaville’s dusty courtyards where tomorrow’s Diables Rouges already chase a scuffed ball into twilight.
Kick-off temperature is forecast at 26 °C with light Atlantic breeze, conditions goalkeepers generally relish. The grass was trimmed to 23 millimetres during Monday’s maintenance, groundsman Hassan El Bakkali confirmed, ensuring a quick surface that should favour short passing yet still allow long diagonal switches.
