Morocco U20 seal AFCON qualification with decisive win over Egypt

10:35

Morocco’s U20 national team booked its place in the final tournament of the Africa Cup of Nations U20 after defeating Egypt 2-0 on Saturday at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia.

The victory came in the fourth round of the North African qualifying tournament and gave the young Moroccan side the result it needed to confirm its qualification ahead of its final fixture against Libya.

The Atlas Lion Cubs produced a highly effective first-half performance, establishing a two-goal cushion before the break and then showing enough defensive discipline to withstand Egypt’s attempts to change the outcome after halftime.

Baallal and Bouhoudane strike before the break

Morocco took control of the match in the 25th minute when Adam Baallal found the net to put his team ahead.

The opening goal gave the Moroccan players greater confidence, and they quickly capitalized on their momentum. Sami Bouhoudane added a second eight minutes later, leaving Egypt with a significant challenge before the interval.

Morocco entered halftime with a 2-0 advantage, having turned its attacking opportunities into goals while keeping Egypt under pressure.

Solid defensive display keeps Egypt at bay

Egypt responded with greater attacking intent after the restart, looking to reduce the deficit and reopen the contest.

Morocco, however, remained organized at the back. Goalkeeper Belaârouch played an important role in preserving the clean sheet, while the Moroccan defense resisted the hosts' repeated attempts to find a way through.

Rather than simply retreating, Morocco continued to look for opportunities to extend its lead. The third goal did not arrive, but the team maintained its composure and protected its advantage until the final whistle.

Qualification secured before final match

The 2-0 result confirms Morocco’s qualification for the final stage of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations. The Moroccan youngsters can now approach their final qualifying match against Libya with their place in the continental tournament already secured.

The win over Egypt also underlines the effectiveness of Morocco’s campaign in the North African qualifying competition, with the team combining attacking efficiency and defensive resilience at a decisive stage of the tournament.