Moroccan U-17 team urged to honor national football reputation in CAN-U17

Sunday 30 March 2025 - 15:10

Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), has called on the Moroccan U-17 national team to deliver a performance worthy of the country's footballing reputation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations U-17 (Morocco 2025).

During a meeting held on Saturday with players, as well as technical, medical, and administrative staff, Lekjaa emphasized the importance of representing Moroccan football in the best possible way. The competition, scheduled from March 30 to April 19 in Morocco, will serve as a crucial platform for young talents.

Lekjaa highlighted the team's impressive technical abilities, demonstrated in the North African Football Union tournament, the international tournament at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, and recent friendly matches. He stressed the necessity of teamwork, communication, and cohesion, which are vital for consistent success in modern football.

Furthermore, he underscored that participation in this continental tournament is a significant step in the players' development, urging them to adopt a winning mentality, a key trait of top-tier teams.

"The Moroccan public has high expectations for the U-17 national team, especially after their remarkable performance in the previous edition, where they reached the final, and their strong showing in the World Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals before narrowly losing to Mali," he stated.

Morocco's U-17 team will begin their campaign against Uganda on Sunday at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia. They will then face Zambia on April 3 and conclude the group stage against Tanzania on April 6. The tournament features twelve teams divided into four groups, with the top performers also securing qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year in Qatar.