South Africa edges Morocco 1-0 in AFCON U20 Final : Lion Cubs secure World Cup spot
Despite the loss, Mohamed Ouahbi's squad delivered a solid performance, showing cohesive team play and creating several chances—though none found the back of the net.
The Lion Cubs' impressive campaign began with a 3–2 win over Kenya, followed by victories against Tunisia (3–1) and Sierra Leone (1–0), before a standout semi-final performance against host nation Egypt (1–0).
By reaching the final four, Morocco also secured qualification for the upcoming U20 World Cup, set to take place in Chile.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Morocco World
Harakass Quits Wydad, Heads to Saudi Arabia
Wydad AC have confirmed the departure of defender Jamal Harakass to Saudi Pro League club Damac in the current summer transfer window. The Casablanca side brought an end to Harakass's spell at the club after head coach Mohamed Amine Benhachem deemed he was surplus to requirements. The 29-year-old was placed on the club's exit list shortly after Wydad participated in the FIFA Club World Cup. Harakass has agreed terms with Damac and will join the Saudi outfit in what will be his first professional stint in the Kingdom. According to Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat , the transfer is worth around 6 million Moroccan dirhams ($600,000). Damac have moved to secure Harakass as a replacement for Algerian centre-back Farouk Chafai, whose contract was not renewed at the end of last season. A former player for Raja Casablanca and Mouloudia Oujda, Harakass has also featured for the Moroccan national team, earning four caps during the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and scoring once. Tags: DamacJamal HarkassSaudi Arabiawydad
Morocco World
09-08-2025
- Morocco World
New Rabat's Moulay Abdellah Stadium to Host Morocco-Niger on September 5
Marrakech – Morocco's national football team will inaugurate the newly reconstructed Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on September 5. According to the program published by FIFA, the Atlas Lions will face Niger in their World Cup 2026 qualifier match. This fixture marks both an important sporting event and the official unveiling of the completely rebuilt stadium, following months of rumors, suggestions, and speculation about its long-awaited opening. The match, part of the 6th round of Group E qualifiers, will see coach Walid Regragui's squad take on Niger's Mena, led by former Morocco national team coach Badou Zaki. Three days later, on September 8, Achraf Hakimi and his teammates will travel to Zambia to face the Chipolopolo at Ndola's Levy Mwanawasa Stadium for their 7th round fixture. Morocco currently dominates Group E with a perfect record of five wins in five matches. They have accumulated 15 points and boast an impressive +12 goal difference. Tanzania holds second place with nine points, while Zambia and Niger follow with six points each. Congo remains at the bottom without any points. The revitalized Moulay Abdellah Stadium constitutes a next-level investment in Morocco's athletic facilities. Originally built in 1980, the stadium was completely demolished in 2023 and reconstructed to host several matches during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The revamped stadium features a seating capacity of 68,500 spectators, an increase of 21,000 from its previous configuration. The facility includes modernized stands, interior spaces that meet international standards, numerous VIP boxes, and areas for conferences and cultural activities. Read also: Morocco Makes History: SNRT to Deploy Spidercam in All 9 AFCON Stadiums One of the stadium's most notable innovations is its LED lighting system for the pitch. Moulay Abdellah becomes the first stadium in Africa to implement LED technology for grass growth. The system includes 6 LED440 units, 2 LED120 units, 6 TurfPods, and a TurfBase management system developed by Dutch company SGL. This advanced technology creates ideal growing conditions for the grass by balancing light and heat. The LED modules allow separate control of light and temperature, precisely adjusting the microclimate based on the pitch's needs. The LED120 covers 120 m² and is ideal for sensitive areas like the substitutes' bench or penalty zones, while the larger LED440 covers 440 m² for broader treatment. At the core of this system is the TurfPod, a connected sensor that continuously measures key agronomic data such as soil and air temperature, salinity, humidity, and received light. This data is transmitted in real-time to the TurfBase software platform, allowing technical teams to remotely monitor the field's condition and optimize resource usage. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who visited the stadium on July 26 alongside FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa, was highly impressed with the facility. 'This stadium is unquestionably one of the most modern, efficient, and magnificent venues on the planet, propelling Morocco among the elite of world football,' he declared. Infantino added that 'stadiums are no longer just places to play football, but showcases for countries,' describing Moulay Abdellah as 'a jewel that conveys the image of a modern Morocco, looking to the future and choosing football to unite the world.' The stadium's reconstruction is part of Morocco's preparations for both the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The facility features a panoramic roof, redesigned VIP areas, underground parking, and next-generation lighting, positioning it as one of the main venues for African and world football in the coming years. Tags: 2026 world cup qualifersMoulay Abdellah Stadium
Morocco World
07-08-2025
- Morocco World
Morocco's Tourism Arrivals Reached 11.6 Million Tourists by End of July
Rabat – Morocco has welcomed 11.6 million tourists by the end of July, the Ministry of Tourism announced today. In a new statement, the ministry said the number represents a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The ministry attributed the momentum to the high number of arrivals among Moroccans residing abroad. 'These figures confirm the continuation of strong momentum,' the ministry said, adding that 52% of arrivals were from diaspora members. The statement further denied speculation suggesting that there has been a notable decline in the arrivals of Moroccan diaspora members this season compared to previous years. The month of July recorded 2.7 million arrivals, representing an increase of 6% compared to the same period last year, the ministry revealed. Foreign tourist arrivals reached 875,000, up by 2% year-on-year, while 1.8 million Moroccans residing abroad arrived in Morocco in July, representing a 7% increase. Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor celebrated the new momentum, taking pride in the fact that Morocco continues to be a 'destination of both the heart and discourse for millions of tourists around the world.' This momentum is also driven by local tourists, Morocco's diaspora, and international visitors, she said, asserting that the trajectory takes place in a context marked by constant attention to tourist expectation as part of Morocco's 2023-2026 tourism roadmap. Last year, Morocco recorded 17.4 million tourist arrivals. The North African kingdom seeks to capitalize on the prestigious events that it will host in the upcoming seasons. Morocco expects tourism arrivals to further increase in the coming months, especially as it is preparing to host the Africa Cup of Nations later this year. By 2030, Morocco aims to attract 26 million visitors. The normally daunting goal appears to be reachable given that the country will be co-hosting the FIFA World Cup that year. Tags: Tourism in Moroccotourists in morocco
