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Rabat – Morocco’s under 23 (U23) Atlas Lions national team is set to play two friendly matches against their Senegalese counterparts on Thursday, September 22, and Sunday, September 25.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FMRF) shared the news on Tuesday, stating that the two matches will be held at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Sports Complex in Rabat starting from 6:30 p.m.
The two games are expected to highlight the progress of the U23 football team in preparation for upcoming tournaments.
The national youth team has been undergoing training sessions since September 19 at the Mohammed VI Football complex in Maamoura. The training camp will last until September 27.
In May, Morocco’s U23 squad made headlines with the addition of Belgian-Moroccan player Ilias Sebaoui to the team.
The Moroccan football management summoned Beerschot’s midfielder to the U23 training camp in March, prompting the player to choose between Belgium and Morocco. The dilemma was consolidated with the Belgian team expressing interest in recruiting the young talent.
However, Sebaoui decided earlier this summer to join the Atlas Lions, stating that his decision was a “call of the heart.”
“Frankly speaking, I feel closer to Morocco than to Belgium. Even though I was born and raised here [Belgium], I feel more Moroccan. This has made me, from a young age, focus on choosing to play for my country of origin,” he said.
Sebaoui is likely to join Morocco’s youth squad in the upcoming friendly matches and the U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled between November 2 to 26, 2023.
Morocco will host the qualifier for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games which are set to be held in Paris, France.
