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Rabat – Morocco’s U17 football team is off to Turkiye to play in a friendly tournament from February 10 to 16 against Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Uzbekistan.
These matches are crucial as the team prepares for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Morocco will host from March 30 to April 19, 2025. Coach Nabil Baha wants his squad sharp and ready to finally get their hands on the title.
Morocco will host the U17 AFCON in 2025 and 2026, giving them a golden chance to keep the trophy at home. The Atlas Cubs aim to go all the way after finishing as runners-up in 2023 – their best continental result so far.
The competition is getting bigger. Sixteen teams will now take part, up from twelve. The top ten teams will also qualify for the U17 World Cup in Qatar later that year.
During the U17 AFCON in Algeria, Morocco topped their group with solid wins against Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia. They then went all the way to the final and lost 2-1 to a strong Senegalese side. But, it was just enough to land them a spot in the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup.
At the World Cup in November 2023, Morocco kept momentum and led their group with two wins and a loss. They beat Iran in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16, but their run ended with a tight 1-0 defeat to Mali in the quarters.
With these results, Morocco proves they have the talent to feed the senior team in the next continental and international competitions.
