Scotland in talks over Morocco friendly in Africa

SCOTTISH Football Association officials are understood to be in talks with Morocco to play a historic friendly in Agadir next month which would be the first time Scotland have played in Africa.

Scotland last played Morocco in the 1998 World Cup, going down 3-0 in St Etienne and securing their exit. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Scotland have no fixture on 11 October – the weekend before they play their final World Cup qualifier against Croatia at Hampden four days later.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation have offered Scotland a friendly in the southern city of Agadir to mark the opening of the brand new Stade Adrar – which will host four games at the Club World Championship later this year – and discussions are ongoing.

The Atlas Lions have just sacked manager Rachid Taoussi after a disastrous qualifying campaign, and current Under-23 coach and former Australia manager Pim Verbeek is expected to take charge of their next game.

Scotland have never before played an international in Africa, although they have faced African teams Zaire, South Africa and Egypt.

They have also met Morocco before too. That crushing 3-0 defeat in St Etienne in the 1998 World Cup was the last match Scotland played at a finals tournament.

Last week, Scotland confirmed that they will take on the United States in a friendly at Hampden on 15 November. The fixture will be the last at the stadium before it is redeveloped ahead of the Commonwealth Games.