Latest news with #FUSRabat
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
CAF Applauds Moroccan Duo El Abdellaoui and Laalaoui Ahead of U20 AFCON Final
Rabat – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has praised Moroccan U20 national team players Jones El Abdellaoui and Reda Laalaoui, following Morocco's qualification for the final of the U20 AFCON. Ahead of Sunday's final between Morocco and South Africa in Cairo, CAF highlighted four standout players from both teams, singling out El Abdellaoui as a 'clinical striker' and Laalaoui as the 'midfield metronome.' 'El Abdellaoui's playing time isn't the highest, but his performance borders on exceptional,' CAF wrote on its website. 'He made a strong impact in the semi-final: coming on in the 64th minute against Egypt, he needed just a few moments to find the back of the net.' The confederation further noted, 'A decisive goal, a match rated 7.6, and a sense of calm in high-pressure moments. Jones El Abdellaoui is the type of player who doesn't flinch. His sense of goal and composure in front of the net could prove decisive.' CAF also showered praise on Reda Laalaoui, midfielder for FUS Rabat, highlighting his impressive maturity at just 20 years old. 'Laalaoui exudes remarkable maturity. Irreplaceable in midfield, he dictates the tempo, slows down or accelerates play as needed,' added the statement. 'His standout match? A marathon quarterfinal against Sierra Leone, going the full 120 minutes, earning a performance rating of 8.1. Calm, technically clean, and gifted with excellent passing, Laalaoui embodies balance and discipline—qualities that will be crucial in a final where every ball counts.' Morocco will face South Africa in the U20 AFCON final on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Moroccan time. Tags: afcon u20Morocco U20U20
CAF
16-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Four to Watch: Stars set to shine in the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON final
Published: Friday, 16 May 2025 As the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt nears its climax, all eyes turn to the eagerly awaited final between Morocco and South Africa on Sunday in Cairo. Both sides have impressed throughout the tournament, earning hard-fought victories in the semi-finals and showing depth, resilience, and flair in their run to the title decider. At the heart of these performances lie a handful of exceptional young talents—players who have not only carried their teams forward but are also expected to play pivotal roles in determining who lifts the trophy. Among those set to take centre stage are two Moroccan stars—midfield anchor Reda Laalaoui and the versatile forward Jones El Abdellaoui—as well as South Africa's attacking spark Thabang Mahlangu and midfield maestro Shakeel April. With goals, assists, and standout performances, these four have defined their nations' tournament narratives and could now etch their names into history. 1. Thabang Mahlangu (South Africa, Supersport United, Age 19) Mahlangu has been one of the tournament's breakout stars. The Supersport United forward has played in six matches, scoring three crucial goals—including a match-winning strike against DR Congo in the quarter-finals. He earned a Man of the Match rating of 7.8 in that game and another solid 6.7 against Nigeria in the semi-final. A livewire with sharp movement and instinctive finishing, Mahlangu's influence in the final third could be South Africa's trump card on Sunday. 2. Shakeel April (South Africa, Cape Town City, Age 19) Another key cog in South Africa's run, April is a dynamic midfielder with a knack for unlocking defences. In five matches played, April has registered one goal and one assist—most notably setting up Mahlangu's winner against DR Congo. His technical skill and vision were on full display in that quarter-final, where he posted a good match rating. Despite a minor injury in the semi-final against Nigeria, April's creativity remains vital in the final. 3. Jones El Abdellaoui (Morocco, Celta Vigo, Age 19) The Spanish-based forward has featured in three matches for Morocco and made them count—scoring against Egypt in the semi-final and notching a 7.6 rating in just 26 minutes. The Celta Vigo man brings top-level experience and clinical finishing to Morocco's attack. His goal against the hosts secured their place in the final and showed he has the temperament for big moments. 4. Reda Laalaoui (Morocco, FUS Rabat, Age 20) Morocco's midfield general, Laalaoui has been instrumental in their journey to the final. The FUS Rabat star has started four matches, earning rave reviews for his control and consistency. His 8.1-rated display over 120 minutes against Sierra Leone in the quarter-finals stood out as one of the tournament's best individual performances. Calm under pressure and precise in distribution, Laalaoui's leadership and poise will be essential in the final.
Morocco World
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Botola Starlet Reda Laalaoui Set to Join English Football
Hull City are on the verge of completing the signing of Moroccan youngster Reda Laalaoui, in what would be a landmark transfer for both the Championship side and Moroccan football. The 20-year-old midfielder, currently plying his trade at FUS Rabat and featuring for Morocco's U20 national side, is expected to put pen to paper in the coming days. Reports suggest the Tigers have fended off interest from clubs in Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands to secure his signature. Should the deal go through, Laalaoui would become the first player to make a direct switch from Morocco's league to English football in over two decades. The last to do so was Youssef Safri, who swapped Raja Casablanca for Coventry City in 2002. In Botola Pro, Laalaoui has featured in 23 games for FUS Rabat this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists. Laalaoui is now on international duty with Morocco's U20s at the AFCON in Egypt. He found the net in a 3-2 win over Kenya, started in the goalless draw with Nigeria, and was given a breather in the final group game against Tunisia. He then played the full 120 minutes in Morocco's hard-fought quarter-final victory over Sierra Leone. The win sends them into the semi-finals against hosts Egypt, and with it, a ticket to the U20 World Cup in Chile.
Morocco World
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Ziyad Baha Targets U17 Africa Cup of Nations title
Morocco striker Ziyad Baha has scored four goals at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations and will be aiming to add to his tally in the final against Mali on April 19. The 16-year-old, who plays for Spanish side Real Betis, has been a standout performer in the tournament. He scored twice against Uganda in the group stage and added two more in the quarter-final win over South Africa, where he was named man of the match. Baha is the son of former Morocco international Nabil Baha, who is also on the national team's coaching staff. The teenager says his father has been a key influence on his development. 'I watch his old matches to learn from him,' he said. Nabil Baha played for clubs in Portugal and Spain during his career and says he is demanding of his son. 'Sometimes I'm tough on him. I want to help him improve his attacking play,' he said. The striker faced criticism after failing to score in group-stage matches against Zambia and Tanzania, but his father defended him. 'If he wasn't good enough, he wouldn't have been selected. He delivers when it matters. His numbers speak for themselves,' he said. In the semi-final against Côte d'Ivoire, Baha converted a penalty in the shootout. His father admitted he could not watch the moment. 'I don't enjoy watching players miss penalties, especially when it's my son,' he said. Born in Málaga in 2009, Baha began his youth career at FUS Rabat before joining Málaga CF and later Real Betis in July 2024 on a three-year deal. His mother, former model Farah Frabian, was a Miss Morocco judge in 2014. His sister Maïssa is part of Barcelona's academy and represents Morocco at U13 level. Tags: nabil bahau17 afconU17 MoroccoZiyad Baha
Ya Biladi
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
FUS Rabat falls to Rivers Hoopers in second BAL match
FUS Rabat suffered a second consecutive defeat in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Kalahari Conference, losing 88–82 to Nigeria's Rivers Hoopers on Sunday at the indoor arena of the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat. This loss follows Saturday's opening match, in which the Moroccan club was defeated 71–60 by Egypt's Al Ittihad of Alexandria. In another game on Sunday, Al Ittihad narrowly beat Stade Malien 72–69. FUS Rabat will face Stade Malien in their third game of the tournament on Tuesday. The Kalahari Conference, featuring FUS Rabat, Al Ittihad (Egypt), Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria), and Stade Malien, marks the opening phase of the 2025 BAL season. The competition is taking place in Rabat until April 13. It will be followed by the Sahara Conference, scheduled from April 26 to May 4 in Dakar, Senegal, and the Nile Conference, from May 17 to 25 in Kigali, Rwanda. The top eight teams across the three conferences will qualify for the playoffs, set to begin on June 6 in Pretoria, South Africa.
