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As Morocco gets ready to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Mohamed Ouahbi has sent a strong message. On Radio Mars, the U20 national team coach said that unity, confidence and faith in coach Walid Regragui will be the key to winning the continental title at home.
Ouahbi, who’s taken the U20s all the way to the U20 World Cup title and has been instrumental in forming Morocco’s next generation of players, is banking on the depth and quality of the national team to get the job done.
He dismissed concerns that defensive uncertainty is a worry, saying the competition for places is not a bad thing and that several players are more than capable of stepping up to the task.
“The fact that we don’t have certainties in central defense does not mean we lack quality. Apart from Nayef, the level is comparable. But I am convinced that we will have a solid partnership. I am confident.”
“What matters is believing in ourselves, believing in the staff, in Walid and in the team. We will do it, Insha’Allah,” Ouahbi said.
‘The sacred union’ is Morocco’s winning formula
Mohamed Ouahbi repeatedly came back to one thing: unity. Drawing from his own experiences with the U20s over the last three years, he reminded fans that success is all about having a good team spirit. “Is everything perfect? No. We, with the U20s, over three years, it wasn’t perfect either. What needs to happen is the sacred union — that is essential.”
He also praised the current generation’s attitude saying they are consistent and hungry to win no matter what the opponent is.
“What more do you want the players to show? They’ve strung together 16 consecutive victories! They’ve proven that even in the small matches, the Hakimis want to play.”
For Ouahbi the coaching staff and leadership under Regragui are a huge source of hope. He praised their professionalism and the bond they built with the fans during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The goal is now to emulate the same for the AFCON 2025.
“We have a competent coach who made us vibrate in Qatar, a staff whom I see working every day… We are going to win this AFCON, Insha’Allah.”
He ended his interview with a phrase he hopes will become the teams motto:
“The sacred union — that is truly the message to repeat. It is what made us win.”
Ouahbi’s words are the formula for Morocco to follow as they head into AFCON 2025: working hard and above all, having a united front.
The expectations are building with a home tournament on the horizon, so his message is a reminder that Morocco’s greatest strength isn’t its stars but the collective belief of the team.
