Latest news with #Baha
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco U17s Set for Canada and Japan Tests in Spain
Morocco's under-17 side will take on Canada and Japan in two friendly matches next week as part of preparations for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year. The Atlas Cubs face Canada on Tuesday, June 3 at 4 p.m. (Moroccan time), before meeting Japan three days later on Friday, June 6 at 12:30 p.m. Both fixtures will be held in Alicante, Spain. The friendlies are part of the national team's build-up to the World Cup, which runs from 3 to 27 November. Morocco were drawn in Group B alongside Japan, New Caledonia and Portugal. Speaking at a conference in Marrakech on Wednesday, head coach Nabil Baha said Morocco's co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup was an opportunity to unite the country and inspire a winning mentality. 'Hosting the tournament alongside Spain and Portugal is a chance to celebrate our culture and push for more success,' Baha said. He also pointed to recent progress at the youth level, including the U-17s' AFCON performance, the U-20s' World Cup qualification, and the U-23s' place at the Paris Olympics. 'Morocco now enters every competition to win,' Baha added. 'Our aim is clear – to fly the Moroccan flag high on every world stage.' Tags: Moroccou17 afconU17 world cup
CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
'No small teams anymore' – Morocco boss wary of tricky U-17 World Cup group
Published: Thursday, 29 May 2025 Morocco U-17 coach Nabil Baha has described his side's FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 group as 'balanced' but warned that there will be no easy matches when the tournament kicks off in November. The draw, held in Doha on 25 May, placed the North African champions in Group B alongside Japan, Portugal, and New Caledonia. The Atlas Cubs, who lifted the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, now turn their focus to the global stage where expectations have grown. 'We landed in a balanced group. Portugal is a very big football nation, and Japan plays very well,' said Baha. 'New Caledonia, we don't know much about, but nowadays, as they say, there are no small teams in the world.' The 2025 edition of the U-17 World Cup is the biggest in the competition's history, with 48 teams drawn into 12 groups of four. Morocco will kick off their campaign against Asian giants Japan before facing Oceania representatives New Caledonia, and closing their group play against European heavyweights Portugal. For Baha, the ambition is clear — go further than Morocco's quarter-final finish in the last edition held in Indonesia. 'Our goal will be to do better than we did in Indonesia in 2023,' he stated. 'We know it will be very tough, but we have the ability to go very far in this competition, given that we have very good players and won the U-17 Africa Cup.' The Moroccan coach praised his squad's potential and insisted that their continental success should serve as a foundation, not a finish line. 'We showed on our continent that we have a great generation, and now we'll have to work hard and prepare as best we can for this World Cup in order to aim to go as far as possible,' he added. With a blend of tactical discipline, individual talent, and continental pedigree, Morocco's U-17s enter Qatar 2025 with belief. As African champions, the Atlas Cubs will carry the hopes of the region — and their coach is determined to make it count.
Morocco World
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Baha Targets World Cup After Morocco Lift Historic U17 AFCON Trophy
Morocco U17 head coach Nabil Baha hailed a 'historic' triumph after his side edged Mali on penalties to win the U17 Africa Cup of Nations. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Baha thanked the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), his staff, national team boss Walid Regragui, and his family for their unwavering support. 'I'm proud of the boys, proud of this title,' said Baha. 'The Federation backed us all the way. My family—my wife and kids—stood by me through everything.' Baha, who is in his first major coaching role, called the title a dream start. His son scored Morocco's opening penalty in the shootout. 'As a coach and a father, this is massive,' he said. 'I saw a video of one of the players' dads praying during the shootout. I thought he was praying for his son, but it turned out he was praying for mine – Ziyad. That's the kind of unity we've built in this squad.' Baha never doubted his players despite the fatigue and pressure of a final. He praised goalkeeper Chouaib Belaârouche for his composure and crucial saves throughout the tournament. 'We always believed. I knew we had the edge on penalties with Chouaib in goal,' said Baha. The Morocco coach expects more from this team. He plans a short celebration before shifting focus to the U17 World Cup. 'We'll enjoy this for a week, then we prepare for the World Cup. This squad has ambition. We want to go far,' he said. Baha also praised the overall level of the competition. 'We faced tough sides—Ivory Coast, South Africa. African football keeps growing,' he said. 'Why not see three African teams in a World Cup semi-final one day?' He ended with a message to the fans: 'This win belongs to you. Every family, every city—you all played a part. Thank you. This is your trophy too.' The Atlas Cubs qualified for the U17 FIFA World Cup after progressing to the quarter-finals of the AFCON, alongside Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia. The tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time and will be held in Qatar from November 3-27. Tags: Moroccou17 afconU17 MoroccoU17 world cup
Morocco World
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco vs Mali: When, How to Watch, Score Prediction
Morocco's U17 team is just one step away from winning the Africa U17 Cup of Nations when they face Mali today at Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia. Kick-off is at 3 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) and fans can catch the action live on Arriyadia. National team head coach Nabil Baha captured the squad's mood perfectly, saying, 'The players are determined to make history and win the Africa Cup.' Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Équipe du Maroc (@equipedumaroc) The Atlas Cubs were so close to clinching their first African title last time against Senegal, but are now fully focused on giving their all on home soil in front of their fans. Throughout this competition, the Moroccan side Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Équipe du Maroc (@equipedumaroc) ">has impressed. They've shown off their future footballing potential, with a tight defence and an energetic, dynamic attack. Under Baha's guidance, the team has been in perfect sync, adapting to the powerful physical play typical of African football. The penalty shootout heroics of Chaib Belarrouch against Cote D'Ivoire are a prime example of this adaptability. Baha has made it clear that his team has studied every possible scenario against Mali, a side that regularly reaches the final stages of African tournaments. Going into this crucial match, Morocco has a solid defence, having conceded just one goal in the competition, and a ferocious attack that's netted 11 goals. With players like Elias Belmoukhtar, Zakaria Wazzan, Ziyad Baheya, and Mounsef Zakri, Morocco has the talent to break down the Mali defence, which coach Adama Diallo insists is ready to give everything for the win. Mali, meanwhile, will leave nothing to chance as they aim for a third title. Their collective spirit and resilience have been clear from the start of the tournament, with a relentless attacking style. Score Prediction: Morocco 2-0 Mali The post Morocco vs Mali: When, How to Watch, Score Prediction appeared first on Morocco World News.
CAF
18-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF U17 AFCON: Morocco on the Brink of a Historic Leap
On Saturday, Morocco will be playing for more than just the final of the TotalEnergies CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations. They'll be playing for history. In front of their home crowd, in a buzzing El Bachir Stadium. Unlucky finalists in 2023 against Senegal (2-1), Nabil Baha's squad now have a chance for a moment of glory. This time, the stage is set at home. 'It's a moment we've been preparing for a long time,' Baha admits. 'Playing in an Africa Cup final is every coach's, player's, and supporter's dream. And playing it at home, in front of your people, makes it even more powerful. In his players' eyes, the former Moroccan international sees determination—the look of those who know they have a date with history. 'Of course there's pressure, because we're at home. But the boys are motivated, they want to go and get this victory. We'll face Mali with respect, but without fear.' A Legacy Embraced Baha has never claimed to be a saviour. He knows where he came from, and above all, what he is building upon. Taking over the team after Saïd Chiba—who led them to the final in the 2023 edition—Baha has always made it clear that his work is a continuation. 'Saïd did remarkable work. He built a solid group and laid the foundations for a competitive team. What we're experiencing today is also thanks to him. It's important to acknowledge that.' The new head coach hasn't brought about a revolution. He has fine-tuned, structured, and reinforced. Under his guidance, the Atlas Cubs have become more defensively disciplined, without losing their attacking edge. A Final to Experience—and to Win Morocco hasn't had an easy ride in the competition. In the semi-final against a tenacious Cote d'Ivoire side (0-0, 4-3 on penalties), they had to dig deep. 'That match forged us. It showed we can suffer and bounce back. It also proved we're mentally ready for this kind of battle.' Though many scenarios are possible, Baha and his staff have considered them all—scoring early, defending a lead, coming back from behind, going to penalties. 'We've prepared for every possibility. Finals like this are decided on the smallest details—on freshness, on the moment. Our players are ready.' And when asked what winning a continental title at home would mean, the coach doesn't hide his emotion: 'It would be a tremendous honour. A source of pride for me, for my staff, for everyone who worked behind the scenes. But above all, for these young players, who deserve to make history.' In Mohammedia, it won't just be about playing a final. It will be about winning it. To close a chapter. To honour a legacy. And above all, to open a new, golden chapter in Moroccan football.
