Latest news with #MohamedOuahbi
CAF
20-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Morocco U20 coach Ouahbi baffled by final loss, turns focus to World Cup
Morocco U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi says he is struggling to come to terms with his side's 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025, insisting the Atlas Cubs were the dominant side and deserved more. The North Africans fell to a second-half strike from Gomolemo Kekana at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, bringing an end to their unbeaten run and dashing hopes of clinching a rare continental treble across age categories. 'I still don't understand how we didn't win this final,' Ouahbi said in the aftermath of the match. 'We had the upper hand in every aspect – possession, chances, territory, corner kicks – everything. But somehow the trophy slipped through our fingers.' Morocco were bidding to add the U-20 crown to the U-17 title secured in Algeria last month and the U-23 championship won last year. Their 2025 campaign had been near-flawless: they remained unbeaten through the group stages, saw off Sierra Leone after extra time in the quarter-finals, and defeated hosts Egypt in the semi-finals. But despite enjoying long spells of control and creating multiple scoring opportunities against South Africa, they were undone by a moment of brilliance from Kekana in the 70th minute, whose long-range effort flew into the top corner past Moroccan keeper Ismail Lahmami. Ouahbi, however, refused to criticise any of his players for the defeat. 'The boys gave everything. Football can be cruel. You dominate, you dictate, you press, and one moment changes everything. But that's the nature of this sport,' he said. In total, Morocco had 57% possession, completed over 400 passes, and registered more attempts on goal, but were repeatedly denied by a resolute South African backline and their outstanding goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe, who was named Man of the Match for his display. 'I want to salute the players for their courage and commitment,' Ouahbi added. 'They are heartbroken now, but this experience will make them stronger. Our focus must now turn to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. We will regroup, learn from this, and represent Morocco with pride.' The Atlas Cubs will take plenty of positives from the tournament. Their ability to control games, their attacking fluency, and the emergence of young stars like Hossam El Sadek, Othmane Maamma, and Hossam Essadak provide optimism ahead of the global stage. Sunday's defeat marked the second time Morocco had contested the U-20 AFCON final, having won the title in 1997 when they hosted the tournament. A second crown appeared within reach after a dominant run to the final, but history did not repeat itself. South Africa, who had never beaten a North African opponent in the competition's history, made history of their own by clinching their first U-20 continental title – becoming the 12th nation to lift the trophy since its inception. Morocco will now reset and begin preparations for the World Cup, which kicks off in September. They will be joined in Chile by fellow African representatives South Africa, Nigeria, and hosts Egypt.
Ya Biladi
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
South Africa edges Morocco 1-0 in AFCON U20 Final : Lion Cubs secure World Cup spot
South Africa's under-20 team defeated Morocco 1–0 on Sunday evening in Cairo, in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U20), which concluded on May 18 in Egypt. The result was a reversal of the 1997 final, when the Atlas Lion Cubs beat South Africa to claim their first continental title in the category. The only goal of this year's final came from Gomolemo Kekana in the 70th minute. 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.
Ya Biladi
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan U-20 coach reflects on AFCON final loss, eyes World Cup in Chile
«The players gave everything to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)», said Mohamed Ouahbi, coach of Morocco's under-20 football team, on Sunday in Cairo. He added that the team's focus must now shift to the upcoming World Cup in Chile. Speaking at a press conference following the 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the final, Ouahbi noted that while the Moroccan side created several scoring opportunities, they lacked finishing efficiency. «The players are disappointed. They were determined to win the title, but luck wasn't on our side», he said, while praising his squad's overall performance throughout the tournament. Ouahbi emphasized that the Moroccan team is full of promising young talent with the potential to make their mark in the future. He stressed the importance of now concentrating on the challenges ahead. Meanwhile, South Africa's coach, Raymond Mdaka, acknowledged that the final was «very tough» against a strong Moroccan side. He expressed satisfaction with his team's performance throughout the tournament, with the exception of their loss to Egypt in the group stage. Third place went to Nigeria, who beat Egypt 4-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time. All four semi-finalists—Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt—have qualified for the U20 World Cup, set to take place in Chile from September 27 to October 19.
Morocco World
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco Manager Reacts to AFCON Final Defeat
Morocco U20 head coach Mohamed Ouahbi says his side must take pride in their performance despite a 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the final of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo. The Atlas Cubs were aiming for their second continental title at this level, but their dream fell short after Gomolemo Kekana scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute at Cairo International Stadium after a defensive howler. Morocco enjoyed spells of dominance and created a number of chances, particularly in the second half, but were ultimately unable to find the back of the net. What did Ouahbi say after the match? Mohamed Ouahbi says his side must take pride in their performance despite the defeat Speaking after the AFCON final, Ouahbi described the loss as 'a scar' but stressed the importance of focusing on the positives. 'We're not returning to Morocco with the title, but we are returning with a strong group and promising young players,' he said. 'I'm a positive person. I look ahead, not behind.' He praised the players' commitment and urged fans to support the squad despite the disappointment. 'The Moroccan people should be proud of these players. They represented the country well, showed character and played with heart. It's normal to feel regret, and the players were emotional, but they gave everything.' Ouahbi refused to blame individuals for the result, instead pointing to a need for continued development and preparation ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile next September. 'We conceded from a mistake, which can happen in football. The players made a big effort. Now, we must recover and move forward.' 'Our ambition is to do better at the World Cup. We will work hard, remain united, and aim to represent Morocco in the best possible way.' Morocco, alongside South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria, have qualified for the U20 World Cup, which will be held from September 27 to October 19 in Chile. The Atlas Cubs' only previous U20 AFCON title came in 1997. Tags: afconEgyptMorocconigeriaSouth Africa
Morocco World
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
When and How to Watch the Morocco U20 AFCON Final 2025, Live Coverage Details
Rabat – As the countdown begins to the U20 Africa Cup of Nations final, Morocco's young Atlas Lions are sharpening their tactics and fitness to face a tough South African side this Sunday, May 18, at Cairo's 30 June Stadium. During the team's last training session before the big match, coach Mohamed Ouahbi emphasized fine-tuning both tactical and physical aspects to ensure his players are in peak condition for the decisive game. The Moroccan squad is fueled by a steely determination to claim the continental title and add a new chapter to Morocco's football history. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Ouahbi acknowledged the challenges ahead. 'The final will not be easy. South Africa's team is tactically disciplined and well-organized,' he said. They excel in quick transitions and creating numerical superiority in the opponent's half.' Despite these strengths, the Moroccan coach remains confident in his players ' abilities: 'Our team has the necessary qualities to control the match and secure victory. The players are eager to write a new page in Morocco's football legacy.' The final pits two highly motivated teams against each other – Morocco, known for its technical skill, and South Africa, recognized for its speed and physicality. Both teams have shown resilience in the tournament, with Morocco defeating host nation Egypt in the semifinals and South Africa eliminating favorites Nigeria. Match Details: Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Kickoff: 21:00 Cairo time / 19:00 Morocco time (GMT+1) Venue: 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt Where to Watch: Arryadia TNT (Morocco) BeIN Sports HD6 CAF TV CAF's official YouTube channel With the team's tactical preparations complete and the players highly motivated, Moroccan fans can expect a thrilling final as the Atlas Cubs aim to bring home the U20 AFCON trophy once again. Tags: morocco vs south africaU20 AFCONU20 AFCON 2025U20 AFCON Morocco
