Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou celebrated his 100th cap for Morocco by keeping out a penalty in the 5-1 win over Niger on 13 November in Casablanca. At 35, the Al-Hilal keeper joins the trio of most-capped players in the Atlas Lions’ history.
One hundred matches, and a save to mark the occasion. On 13 November in Casablanca, Yassine Bounou played his 100th game in a Morocco shirt, against Niger (5-1), according to OneFootball and Maroc Diplomatique. In the 45th minute, with the Atlas Lions leading 2-1, the Al-Hilal goalkeeper kept out the penalty from Youssouf Oumarou, a Stade Tunisien and Niger player.
The celebration could hardly have come at a better time: Bounou joins the very select circle of players who have played a hundred matches for the national team, and his save came with Morocco in front. A third win in three qualifying matches, with 9 points on the board according to OneFootball, rounded off a successful evening for his side.
Behind Naybet and Hakimi
With this 100th cap, Bounou becomes the third most-capped player in Morocco’s history, behind former defender Noureddine Naybet, the record holder with 115 matches, and Achraf Hakimi (104), according to Goal.com. Naybet therefore keeps top spot in the standings, but the goalkeeper now forces his way onto the podium of most-capped players.
The figure speaks to Bounou’s longevity in the national colours. It also speaks to his importance in the Moroccan squad: he was notably one of the architects of Morocco’s run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, Maroc Diplomatique recalls.
A specialist in one-on-ones
The save from Youssouf Oumarou was no fluke. Over his career, Bounou has stopped 12 of the 60 penalties he has faced, or 20%, OneFootball notes. A ratio that illustrates his effectiveness in that solitary duel with the taker.
The penalty came in the 45th minute, with Morocco leading 2-1 in Casablanca.
“A great feeling”
The man himself savoured the moment, as reported by Yalla Shoot: “It’s a great feeling that’s hard to describe, especially as I played my 100th match in Casablanca. I thank all the supporters who came to back us, and the players who put in a great performance. We hope to keep improving our level to reach our objectives”.
In those words, Bounou salutes the support of the crowd who came to watch him play in Casablanca and highlights the collective, while aiming for the national team to step up its level.
The Atlas Lions face Niger again on Tuesday 17 November 2026, at 21:00, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.