Morocco Seal World Cup Spot With Win Over Tanzania
Morocco's U17 side secured qualification for the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar with a 3-0 victory over Tanzania in their final group match at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The game started a bit cagey and the Atlas Cubs left it late to crack the Tanzanians open and crash them out of the competition. Once Ilyass Belmakhtar broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, the floodgates opened.
Abdellah Ouazzane added two more — including a stunning free-kick — to wrap up the win and top spot in Group A with seven points.
The result confirms Morocco's place in the quarter-finals, where they will meet South Africa on Thursday, but more importantly, it guarantees them a seat at the table for the U17 World Cup in Qatar this year which runs from November 3 to 27.
Morocco U17 head coach Nabil Baha says he is 'full of confidence' in his team in the post-match press conference. 'We've played solid matches — against Uganda, Zambia, and now Tanzania. What matters most is we haven't conceded a goal.'
Baha said he urged his players at half-time to raise their intensity. 'I told them to give more. They understood. Today they ran over 10km, compared to 7km in the last match. When we outrun the opponent, we create chances.'
'We have players who can make the difference. And we're defensively strong, which gives us confidence.'
Baha warned against expecting early goals in every game. 'Sometimes young players need to take responsibility. Matches aren't won in the first minute — they last up to 100 minutes.' Tags: 2025 U17 AFCONMoroccoU17 Morocco
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