2025 AFCON Qualifiers (Matchdays 5,6): Zakaria Aboukhlal Replaces Ilias Akhomach

Morocco’s U-20 football team qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after beating their Sierra Leone counterparts 1-0 Monday at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. 

The victory secured Morocco a spot in the upcoming U-20 World Cup in Chile. The winning goal was scored in extra time (regulation time 0-0) when Amara Keita put the ball into his own net (115th).

For a place in the final, the Atlas Cubs will face the winner of the quarter-final between Egypt and Ghana.

The Moroccan national under-20 football team qualified for the quarter-finals of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON U20), after defeating their Tunisian counterparts 3-1 on Wednesday in Ismailia (northeastern Egypt), in the third and final match of Group B.

Morocco’s goals were scored by Ayman Arguige (44th minute), Ismail Bakhty (86th), and Jones El Abdellaoui (90+2), while Tunisia’s lone goal came from Anis Doubal (53rd).

With this victory, Morocco tops its group with 7 points and will play the quarter-finals next Monday in Cairo against the runner-up of Group A.

The Moroccan U17 national football team won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by defeating Mali in the final via a penalty shootout (4–2, after a 0–0 draw in regulation time) on Saturday at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia.

During the penalty shootout, Chouaib Bellaarouch once again stood out by saving two penalties.

This marks Morocco’s first-ever title in the U17 AFCON category.

On Friday, Côte d’Ivoire secured third place in the tournament by defeating Burkina Faso 4–1 on penalties (1–1 after regulation time).

 Five Moroccan players earned spots in the Best XI of the 15th U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U17), which wrapped up on Saturday with Morocco crowned champions.

The players are goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch, right-back Moncef Zekri, center-defender Driss Aït Chiekh, attacking midfielder Abdellah Ouazzane, and left winger Ilies Belmokhtar.

According to the website of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Bellaarouch, a product of the Mohammed VI Football Academy, was one of the key players behind Morocco’s title win.

“Rock-solid on his line, dominant in the air, and decisive in the penalty shootout during the final against Mali, he deservedly walks away with the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper award,” cafonline.com commented.

Regarding Zekri, CAF highlighted that he is “always accurate in his forward runs and precise with his crosses,” emphasizing his understanding with Ouazane during attacking phases often unsettled opposing defences.

Another “explosive force on the flank”, Aït Chiekh, who embodied Moroccan energy was defensively solid and incisive going forward, according to the website. “He often provided an extra option in attack.”

As for Ouazzane, he was dubbed the playmaker. Elegant, composed, and blessed with a silky left foot, the Ajax Amsterdam player dazzled the tournament with his talent. he conducted play with astonishing poise and maturity,” the article reads.

Finally, Belmokhtar was praised for his speed and skill, which gave opposing defenses a hard time while also contributing to the team effort, according to the same source.

The other players selected in the tournament’s Best XI are Issouf Dabo (Burkina Faso), Vaboué Doumbia (Ivory Coast), Issa Tounkara (Mali), Seydou Dembélé (Mali), Ashsaraf Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), and Alynho Haidara (Ivory Coast).

The Moroccan team won the U-17 AFCON by defeating their Malian counterparts in the final via penalty shootout (4–2, after a 0–0 draw in regulation time), on Saturday at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia.

Hosts Morocco booked their place in the final of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday after edging Côte d’Ivoire 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in regulation time.

   Goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch emerged as the hero at El Bachir Stadium, saving three spot-kicks to send the home side through. A product of the Mohammed VI Football Academy, Bellaarouch’s performance proved decisive in a tense semi-final clash.

   Morocco will face Mali in the final on Saturday, also at El Bachir Stadium.

   Mali secured their spot earlier in the day with a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.

   The third-place play-off will be held at Stade Larbi Zaouli on Friday. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 8pm GMT+1.

 Morocco booked their place in the semi-finals of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U17) with a 3-1 victory over South Africa in the quarter-finals on Thursday at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia.

Ismail El Aoud opened the scoring for the national team in the 13th minute, before Ziyad Baha struck twice in quick succession (61st, 62nd) to seal the win. Neo Bohloko had earlier pulled one back for South Africa in the 54th minute.

In the day’s other quarter-final, Burkina Faso cruised past Zambia with a 6-1 win at El Arbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Mohamed Fofana (11’), Asharaf Tapsoba (21’ pen, 77’ pen, 90’) and Halidou Diakité (58’, 68’) were on target for Burkina Faso, while Abel Nyirongo scored Zambia’s only goal in the 35th minute.

The remaining two quarter-finals will be played on Friday, with Ivory Coast taking on Senegal in Berrechid and Tunisia facing Mali in El Jadida.