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Morocco’s U20 team have stepped up their preparations in Cairo ahead of their opening fixture at the 2025 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Drawn in Group B alongside Nigeria, Tunisia, and Kenya, the Atlas Cubs aim to reassert themselves among Africa’s elite and end a 28-year trophy drought.
Training intensified on Monday, with a focus on tactical cohesion and positional structure.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who took charge in 2022 and holds a UEFA Pro Licence, has instilled a philosophy centred on possession-based football with sharp offensive transitions.
“We are here to win it. Who we face and where we play matters little,” Ouahbi declared earlier this week.
Morocco will open their campaign against Kenya on Thursday, May 1 at 8 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1), followed by clashes against Nigeria on May 4 and Tunisia on May 7.
A group of giants
Group B presents a stern test. Nigeria, seven-time champions, enter as favourites, while Tunisia bring grit and tactical discipline. Kenya, though less fancied, will be eager to play spoiler.
Players to watch
The Atlas Cubs’ charge will be spearheaded by PSG defender Naoufel El Hannach, a dynamic presence at the back with an eye for goal, and Venezia forward Saâd El Haddad, who was Morocco’s top scorer in the UNAF qualifiers.
CAF recognition
CAF has tipped Morocco as one of the title contenders, with the kingdom’s growing reputation in youth development. This is the nation’s seventh appearance at the tournament, having finished third in 1987 and fourth in 2005.
What happened in the AFCON opener?
Hosts Egypt made a winning start in Group A with a 1-0 victory over South Africa, thanks to a composed finish from Mohamed Abdallah. Zambia and Sierra Leone played out a goalless draw in the other group fixture.
What’s at stake?
The top four sides in the tournament will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
Morocco’s mission is clear: bring the title back to Rabat.
