18-04-2025
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
