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Morocco has just secured a major talent ahead of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations. Marouane Bakkour, a rising star at Dutch side FC Groningen, has chosen to represent Morocco over the Netherlands.
Born to a Moroccan father and a Surinamese mother of Indonesian descent, Bakkour can play in different positions across central midfield.
The 17-year-old ditched the Netherlands just months after wearing their shirt, choosing to play for Morocco instead. The midfield starlet was approached by Moroccan officials who were quick to tap into his potential.
Bakkour is now set to join Morocco’s U17 squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off next month in Morocco from March 20 to April 19.
The Moroccan team will face Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia in the group stage. The top two teams from each group go straight to the quarter-finals and will also book a ticket for the FIFA U17 Qatar World Cup to be held from November 5 to 27, 2025.
But with the U17 AFCON just around the corner, Morocco will host a friendly tournament from February 18-22, featuring Egypt, Senegal, and Zambia. This will be the final test for the young squad before they step into the continental competition.
The Moroccan Football Federation has been ramping up efforts in recent months to bring in talent from abroad, and Bakkour is one of the latest successes.
