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Morocco U20 head coach Mohamed Ouahbi says his side must take pride in their performance despite a 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the final of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo.
The Atlas Cubs were aiming for their second continental title at this level, but their dream fell short after Gomolemo Kekana scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute at Cairo International Stadium after a defensive howler.
Morocco enjoyed spells of dominance and created a number of chances, particularly in the second half, but were ultimately unable to find the back of the net.
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What did Ouahbi say after the match?
Speaking after the AFCON final, Ouahbi described the loss as “a scar” but stressed the importance of focusing on the positives.
“We’re not returning to Morocco with the title, but we are returning with a strong group and promising young players,” he said. “I’m a positive person. I look ahead, not behind.”
He praised the players’ commitment and urged fans to support the squad despite the disappointment.
“The Moroccan people should be proud of these players. They represented the country well, showed character and played with heart. It’s normal to feel regret, and the players were emotional, but they gave everything.”
Ouahbi refused to blame individuals for the result, instead pointing to a need for continued development and preparation ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile next September.
“We conceded from a mistake, which can happen in football. The players made a big effort. Now, we must recover and move forward.”
“Our ambition is to do better at the World Cup. We will work hard, remain united, and aim to represent Morocco in the best possible way.”
Morocco, alongside South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria, have qualified for the U20 World Cup, which will be held from September 27 to October 19 in Chile.
The Atlas Cubs’ only previous U20 AFCON title came in 1997.
