Victory highlights intense preparation for Morocco’s U17 team

Monday 31 March 2025 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Victory highlights intense preparation for Morocco’s U17 team

Nabil Baha, coach of Morocco's U17 national football team, emphasized the significance of their recent victory against Uganda, which ended in a decisive 5-0 scoreline. Speaking at a press conference in Mohammedia following the match on March 30, 2025, Baha noted that this win is the result of extensive preparation that began over a year ago.

"We thoroughly analyzed our opponents for this Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and had the opportunity to face them in friendly matches. This helped us understand their strengths and weaknesses better," he stated after the opening match of the tournament held at El Bachir Stadium.

Baha attributed the team's success against Uganda to an early goal that allowed the players to relax and exploit gaps left by their opponents. "The key to victory was scoring quickly. Once we did that, our players felt liberated, and we were able to extend our lead," he explained.

Looking ahead, Baha expressed that the upcoming match against Zambia will pose a greater challenge, as all teams are vying for the title and a chance to qualify for the World Cup scheduled in Qatar. "A second victory would bring us closer to the World Cup," he noted, emphasizing the need for humility despite their significant win.

Ilies Belmokhtar, named man of the match, echoed Baha’s sentiments, stating, "While individual trophies are gratifying, the national team's victory is more important to me." He added that securing three points boosts the morale of the group as they continue their journey in the tournament.

Belmokhtar also commented on their tactical advantage, saying, "We managed to exploit the offensive timidity of our opponents, who played defensively, and we took that opportunity to score."

On the other hand, Uganda's coach, Brian Ssenyondo, acknowledged Morocco's superiority on the field, stating, "The better team won. The second half was an improvement for us and will serve as a reference for our gameplay." He emphasized the importance of the remaining matches for his team to stay competitive, expressing regret that the outcome did not align with their preparations.

Twelve teams are competing in this tournament, divided into four groups, with the title at stake. This competition also serves as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to take place later this year in Qatar.