In a historic evening for African football, Hamza Igamane shone during the qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup by scoring a crucial goal and providing an assist in Morocco’s resounding 5-0 victory over Niger this Friday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. This match marked the first qualifying game held in the renovated stadium and secured the Atlas Lions’ ticket to the World Cup finals, making Morocco the first African team to qualify for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year.
Igamane’s goal came in the 69th minute, further sealing the win following remarkable hat-tricks from teammates Ismael Saibari, Ayoub El Kaabi, and Azzedine Ounahi. In addition to scoring, Igamane displayed offensive generosity by delivering the final assist for the fifth goal, underscoring his key role in Morocco’s attack and his rising prominence on the international stage.
This exceptional performance affirms Morocco’s positive momentum in African qualifiers, boasting a perfect record of 18 points from six matches. The victory also energized local supporters, with 68,500 people gathered in the brand-new stadium, promising a bright future for Moroccan football in the Africa Cup of Nations and beyond.
In an era where African players increasingly attract international club attention, Hamza Igamane establishes himself as an emerging figure in Moroccan football. His decisive contribution in this historic match will be remembered as one of the key moments that led Morocco to write a new chapter in its football history on the global stage.