
Morocco Drawn with Saudi Arabia in Tough Arab Cup Group
The tournament, set to take place in Qatar from 1 to 18 December, will feature 16 teams from across the Arab world. Four spots are still to be decided via qualifying matches.
'We've landed in the toughest group'
Reacting to the draw, Morocco's local national team coach Tarik Sektioui acknowledged the challenge ahead.
'We've landed in the toughest group with Saudi Arabia, who have a very strong team,' he said. 'We can't overlook the other teams from the preliminary round either – Oman, Somalia, Yemen, and Comoros are all sides we must take seriously.'
Sektioui added that while Morocco and Saudi Arabia are widely tipped to progress, the team will approach every match with caution and ambition.
'Everyone expects Morocco and Saudi Arabia to advance from the group, and that's understandable given our histories and quality,' he said.
'But we must respect all opponents. We have a responsibility to honour Moroccan football, which has become a global reference point. Every tournament we enter, we aim to win.'
Here is the full 2025 Arab Cup draw: Group A: Qatar, Tunisia, Syria/South Sudan, Palestine/Libya
Group B: Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman/Somalia, Comoros/Yemen
Group C: Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Kuwait/Mauritania
Group D: Algeria, Iraq, Bahrain/Djibouti, Lebanon/Sudan Tags: Arab CupMoroccoSaudi Arabia

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Ya Biladi
2 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan coach Tarik Sektioui eyes crucial victory against Angola in CHAN 2024 opener
On Saturday in Nairobi, national coach Tarik Sektioui emphasized the importance of the Moroccan local players' team securing a win against Angola on Sunday in their Group A encounter at the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024). He described the victory as «crucial for the continuation of the competition». «For us, it's vital to start the tournament with a win to boost the players' confidence and foster a positive mindset», Sektioui remarked during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Morocco-Angola clash, which is set for Sunday at 4:00 PM in Nairobi. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Angola, noting that «the match against Angola won't be easy because they are a strong team with significant potential and a coach experienced in African competitions». However, he assured that «our objectives are clear; we are determined to win this match and have prepared thoroughly for it». Reflecting on the team's preparation for CHAN, Sektioui explained, «We initially started with players born in 2000 and later, but the unexpected departure of 11 players to new clubs and injuries to two others impacted our preparations». He added that «the players selected for the final roster have demonstrated technical and tactical maturity, which we will leverage to advance well in this championship». He underscored his primary goal of advancing beyond the group stage with an eye on the title, highlighting the challenges of assembling a competitive squad within a limited timeframe. «Moroccan teams are now aiming for titles and nothing but titles. We have the ambition to honor Moroccan football, even though we have inherited a tough group with strong teams that we respect.» Team captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat echoed this sentiment, stating that «the national team is determined to win the trophy and the players are aware of the responsibility that lies with them».


Morocco World
3 hours ago
- Morocco World
Coach Sektioui: Morocco Must Win Opener to Boost Confidence at CHAN 2024
Rabat – Morocco's local team coach, Tarik Sektioui, spoke to the media today ahead of their opening CHAN 2024 game, saying it is crucial to secure three points against Angola. He said a strong start would lift the players' morale and increase their chances of advancing far in the competition. The team will face Angola in their first match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024). The game will take place on Sunday in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of the group stage. 'We are well aware of the responsibility on our shoulders, and we know that we will play against a strong team, a favorite to win this edition of CHAN, with many advantages, and a coach with great experience,' Sektioui noted. 'It is smart and professional to respect all opponents,' the coach added. The Moroccan team has two main goals in this competition: to qualify for the second round by winning the first match, and to compete for the title and honor Moroccan football, he said. CHAN 2024 will be held in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with Morocco playing its matches in Nairobi's Nyayo Stadium and Moi International Sports Center. After the opening game against Angola at Nyayo Stadium, Morocco will face Kenya on August 10 at the Moi Sports Center in Kasarani. The team will then return to Nyayo Stadium to play Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo on August 14 and 17, respectively. Morocco is aiming to win the CHAN title for the third time in its history. The team previously won the championship twice in a row, in 2018 at home under coach Jamal Salami, and in 2020 in Cameroon with coach Hussein Ammouta. Tags: CHAN 2024MoroccosektiouiTarik Sektioui


Morocco World
6 hours ago
- Morocco World
Lawyer Says ‘Strong Evidence' Clears Hakimi as Mbappé Stands by Him in Rape Case
Rabat – Achraf Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, says there is 'strong evidence' that clears the Moroccan football star of any wrongdoing, as French prosecutors officially requested a rape trial against him. 'We will fight until the end to make sure the truth comes out and that it is clearly said and understood that Achraf Hakimi did not do or say anything wrong,' Colin told RMC Sport. She added that the accusations are based on a version of events that she considers 'incoherent' and lacking any signs of trauma usually seen in similar cases. The case dates back to February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman accused Hakimi of forcing her into a non-consensual sexual act at his home near Paris. The public prosecutor's office in Nanterre asked on Friday for the 26-year-old to be tried by a criminal court. Hakimi has firmly denied the allegations since the beginning of the investigation. Now, the decision lies with the investigating judge, who will determine whether the case will go to trial. If convicted, Hakimi could face up to 15 years in prison. His lawyer also questioned the woman's story, calling it inconsistent. 'In 99.9% of sexual assault cases, there is at least some sign of trauma, whether it's nightmares, weight changes, or anything else. Here, there is nothing,' she argued. Colin added that she remains calm even if a trial happens, saying the truth will come out. 'Never seen him behave inappropriately' The alleged incident happened on February 25, 2023, one day before a big PSG match that Hakimi missed. The woman says she met the footballer through Instagram and was driven to his house in a car ordered by him. She claims he kissed her and touched her without consent, even after she told him no. She says she managed to push him away and called a friend to pick her up. French football star Kylian Mbappé, who was a close teammate of Hakimi at Paris Saint-Germain, also gave a statement to the police. He defended his friend, saying, 'Achraf Hakimi is respectful toward women. Even when drinking, I've never seen him behave inappropriately.' He added that he had never heard of any women saying Hakimi had crossed the line. Mbappé also talked about the night Hakimi found out about the investigation, saying he cried and was emotionally shaken. Mbappé supported the idea that the case might be a setup, pointing to messages from the woman that suggest a plan to get money from Hakimi. In one text, the woman reportedly wrote, 'We're going to rob him!' although she later said it was just a joke to relieve stress. The case has resurfaced at a sensitive time for Hakimi, who is said to be gaining international support for his performance on the field and is reportedly being considered in the race for the Ballon d'Or. Some fans and commentators now question whether the renewed focus on the case is part of a campaign against him just as he is reaching new career heights. Tags: Achraf Hakimirapetrial