Morocco Lands New Prodigy from Netherlands Ahead of U17 AFCON
Morocco has just secured a major talent ahead of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations. Marouane Bakkour, a rising star at Dutch side FC Groningen, has chosen to represent Morocco over the Netherlands.
Born to a Moroccan father and a Surinamese mother of Indonesian descent, Bakkour can play in different positions across central midfield.
The 17-year-old ditched the Netherlands just months after wearing their shirt, choosing to play for Morocco instead. The midfield starlet was approached by Moroccan officials who were quick to tap into his potential.
Bakkour is now set to join Morocco's U17 squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off next month in Morocco from March 20 to April 19.
The Moroccan team will face Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia in the group stage. The top two teams from each group go straight to the quarter-finals and will also book a ticket for the FIFA U17 Qatar World Cup to be held from November 5 to 27, 2025.
But with the U17 AFCON just around the corner, Morocco will host a friendly tournament from February 18-22, featuring Egypt, Senegal, and Zambia. This will be the final test for the young squad before they step into the continental competition.
The Moroccan Football Federation has been ramping up efforts in recent months to bring in talent from abroad, and Bakkour is one of the latest successes. Tags: afcon u17GroningenMarouane Bakkouru17 afcon Morocco
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Morocco World
Badou Zaki Defends Hakimi's Ballon d'Or Case: ‘He Stands Above the Rest'
Rabat – As football's most prestigious individual award draws closer, the names of usual suspects begin to fill headlines — attacking giants, prolific scorers, flashy midfield maestros. But away from the spotlight reserved for goal tallies and commercial hype, a quieter yet compelling case unfolds. It is the story of Achraf Hakimi, Morocco's Atlas Lion and Paris Saint-Germain's tireless right-back, whose season demands more than polite applause. This story calls for serious Ballon d'Or consideration. To some, suggesting a defender, especially a right-back, for the Ballon d'Or might seem far-fetched. Yet, when stripped of biases and marketing noise, the award's criteria are clear: individual brilliance, collective achievement, and visible influence on the field. Hakimi checks every box. Former Moroccan goalkeeper Badou Zaki, a legend in his own right, sees no exaggeration in calling for Hakimi's inclusion. 'The Ballon d'Or must go to the player who outshines the rest,' Zaki said. 'We talk about team trophies, personal contributions, and the values a player brings to the game. Hakimi belongs in that conversation.' This season, PSG finally broke its Champions League curse. Hakimi played a central role in that success, not as a supporting figure but as one of the team's anchors. He lifted four trophies with the French club, including the elusive Champions League title, a feat many consider the ultimate test of greatness. But team silverware is only part of the picture. On an individual level, Hakimi offered performances that no fullback has matched in years. He scored four goals and provided five assists in the Champions League alone. These numbers would impress even an attacking midfielder. From his position at the back, they astonish. Hakimi also redefined what it means to play as a right-back. He darted up and down the flank, switched roles fluidly, and often dictated the rhythm of matches. It's no longer enough to say he's one of the best in his position. He now stands as a full-fledged footballer. Still, his name rarely surfaces in Ballon d'Or predictions. Instead, the conversation sometimes shifts to rising stars like Lamine Yamal. 'Frankly, I'm surprised,' Zaki said, 'when someone like Lamine Yamal is mentioned as a contender, even though he hasn't done half of what Hakimi achieved, and I say this with great respect for Yamal's talent and potential. But if we're being fair with the criteria, I don't see how he ranks above Hakimi.' 'To me, the real competition should be between Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi. And there's an important detail, Dembélé is in the conversation because he scored eight goals in the Champions League, which is his job as a forward. Meanwhile, Hakimi scored four as a defender, whose primary role is not to find the net,' Zaki added. Recognition for African players has always been limited. Only one African, George Weah, has ever lifted the Ballon d'Or. That was nearly 30 years ago. If the football world takes its own rules seriously, Hakimi has done more than enough to change that. He didn't just have a good season; he led, delivered, and transformed expectations. Tags: Achraf HakimiAtlas LionsBadou ZakiHakimiMorocco football
Ya Biladi
10 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan Polo team triumphs over US in Newport International Series Opener
The Moroccan national polo team achieved a remarkable victory over its American counterpart, winning 14–6 in a match held on June 7, 2025, at the prestigious Newport Polo Club in the United States. This win marks a strong start to the Newport International Polo Series, an international tournament running until September 27, 2025, featuring top global teams including England, Italy, Scotland, and Australia. The opening match was attended by Morocco's Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, who praised the Moroccan team's outstanding performance during a ceremony held in his honor in the state of Rhode Island. Proud to witness Morocco's national polo team secure a resounding 14–6 victory over the U.S. at the opening of the prestigious Newport International Polo Series in #RhodeIsland. A second consecutive win, during which I was honored to highlight how this achievement reflects His… — Youssef Amrani (@youamrani) June 8, 2025 At the end of the match, Ambassador Amrani emphasized the significance of the national team's participation in this international sporting event, highlighting its key role in promoting polo in the Kingdom. He also underscored the importance of sports in fostering mutual understanding and cultural connection between nations. This victory marks Morocco's second consecutive win over the U.S. team, following their recent triumph in the Mohammed VI International Polo Cup three weeks earlier. Morocco's participation in the Newport tournament also celebrates 250 years of friendship and cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States.
Morocco World
11 hours ago
- Morocco World
Ben Seghir on Napoli's Radar as Monaco Plot Summer Shake-Up
Napoli are lining up a summer swoop for Morocco international Eliesse Ben Seghir, as AS Monaco brace themselves for a busy transfer window. The 20-year-old forward, one of the most promising products of the Principality's academy, is attracting serious attention across Europe. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli's sporting director Giovanni Manna is a huge admirer and sees Ben Seghir as a perfect fit for Antonio Conte's frontline. But there's a catch. Monaco reportedly want around €40–50 million for the player, and Napoli are weighing up their options. The Italian champions have a hefty €200 million transfer budget but are prioritising other names, including Kevin De Bruyne and PSV winger Noa Lang who Marseille is also monitoring. Lang would come at a lower cost, around €25 million. Ben Seghir's numbers are solid. He scored nine and assisted four in 46 appearances this season, despite losing his starting place midway through the campaign. His flair, quick feet and ability to operate in tight spaces make him a tantalising option for clubs who want intelligent attacking movement. City, Liverpool, Bayern and Leverkusen are all keeping tabs. Monaco, meanwhile, are reshuffling. Eric Dier is in. Ansu Fati is expected on loan. A left-back is being chased, with Sergio Reguilon named as a target. A new goalkeeper is also on the list, but it won't be David De Gea, who extended his stay with Fiorentina. Outgoings are expected too. Maghnes Akliouche is being courted, and Paul Pogba, currently without a club, has been offered to Monaco. The club's sporting chief Thiago Scuro insists he wants Ben Seghir to stay, at least another season, but the player's camp remains open. Tensions with manager Adi Hütter haven't helped either. The Austrian benched Ben Seghir for long spells, and their relationship is reportedly strained. Ben Seghir, who is currently in camp with the Moroccan national team to gear up for the next friendly game against Benin next Monday, has been named in the Golden Boy shortlist, alongside fellow Moroccan budding talents Chemsdine Talbi and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Tags: Atlas Lionseliesse ben seghirMoroccoNapoli
