Rabat, Morocco – (African Boulevard News) – In a nail-biting encounter, record winners Al Ahly managed to secure a 0-0 draw with Moroccan side Raja Club Athletic to advance to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League for the sixth time in a row.

The first half of the match saw both teams struggling to break the deadlock. Al Ahly seemed to have the upper hand with several decent attempts on goal, but Raja Club Athletic’s defense remained steadfast, not allowing Al Ahly to capitalize on their opportunities.

The second half was much of the same, with both teams displaying admirable defensive tactics. However, towards the end of the game, Raja Club Athletic upped the ante, but Al Ahly’s goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy had other plans, thwarting Raja’s efforts and securing the all-important draw for his team.

Al Ahly manager Pitso Mosimane praised his players for their hard work and resilience in a post-match interview. He said, “We knew this was going to be a tough match, and we came prepared. Raja is a formidable team, but we managed to hold them off, and that’s a testament to the character of my players.”

This draw means that Al Ahly, who have won the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League a record of ten times, will progress to the semi-finals to face Esperance de Tunis.

Esperance de Tunis qualified for the semis after a superb 3-1 victory over MC Alger, in which they displayed an attacking masterclass.

Commenting on the upcoming challenge against Esperance, Mosimane said, “Esperance is a quality side, and we’ll have to be on our game to beat them. However, we are Al Ahly, and we don’t fear any team. We are going to prepare well and give it our all.”

This year’s tournament has seen fierce competition as teams battle it out for the coveted Champions League title. With Al Ahly and Esperance de Tunis set to meet in the semi-finals, fans can expect a thrilling game from two of the continent’s football giants.

Rabat, Morocco – (African Boulevard News) – Morocco opened their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa in Group B. Morocco midfielder Adam Chakir has credited the technical team’s change of tact at halftime for the turnaround that saw them beat South Africa 2-0 in their opening game.

Chakir said, “The coach’s words during halftime motivated us and we came back strong in the second half with a different strategy. We were able to score two goals and keep a clean sheet. This is a great start for us and gives us confidence going forward in the tournament.”

From the first whistle, both teams looked to take control of the game, but it was Morocco who had the better chances. The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when Abdessamad El Moubarki scored from close range after a goalmouth scramble. South Africa tried to respond, but their efforts were thwarted by a resolute Moroccan defense.

Morocco doubled their lead in the 85th minute, thanks to a stunning free-kick from Mohamed Amine El Bouazzati. The goal proved to be the final nail in the coffin for South Africa as Morocco held on for the win.

The victory puts Morocco in a good position in Group B, with their next game against Gambia on 16 July. However, they will not be complacent, as the group remains wide open, with all four teams still in with a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

The TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations tournament is a huge platform for young African players to showcase their skills and attract the attention of scouts from top European clubs. The tournament is also an opportunity for Africa to demonstrate its prowess in the world of football.

As the tournament progresses, fans can expect to see more exciting matches, as the best U17 teams from across the continent battle it out for the coveted trophy.

Rabat, Morocco – (African Boulevard News) – South Africa’s U17 team suffered a 2-0 loss against the host nation, Morocco, during their opening game of the TotalEnergies U17 African Cup of Nations tournament. Although the result did not go in their favor, South Africa’s head coach, Duncan Crowie, managed to pick out several positives from the game.

In an interview after the game, Crowie praised his team’s performance, stating that the players showed great character and resilience throughout the match. He also mentioned how they had created several scoring opportunities, showing their quality on the ball.

“The game was a good experience for us; it was a tough match, and we knew that going into it. We had opportunities to score, which is always promising, and the team showed great character to keep pushing even after conceding,” Crowie said.

Despite the loss, Crowie remained optimistic about his team’s chances in the tournament, highlighting how the experience gained from the match would be valuable going forward. He also mentioned that they would continue to work on their weaknesses to improve in their next game against Senegal.

“Of course, we are disappointed with the result, but we will take the learnings from this game and build on them. We have a lot of potential in this team, and we will work hard to show that in the next game,” Crowie added.

The TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations is a crucial tournament for African players as it serves as a platform for young players to showcase their talents and potentially earn a move to a bigger club. The tournament features some of the best U17 teams from around the continent, making it a highly competitive event.

South Africa’s next game will be against Senegal, and they will have to put up a strong performance to secure a victory. The team’s focus will be on improving their attacking play and being more clinical in front of goal.

In summary, although South Africa lost their opening game in the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations, their head coach, Duncan Crowie, was able to pick out several positives from the game. The team’s performance showed their quality, and they will be looking to improve on their weaknesses in their next game against Senegal. The tournament is a vital platform for young African players to showcase their talents, and South Africa will be hoping to make the most of this opportunity.

Rabat, Morocco – (African Boulevard News) – In the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco’s head coach, Said Chiba, has called on his team to remain grounded and focused. The young Atlas Lions started off their campaign in style with a convincing 2-0 win over South Africa in the opening game of the tournament.

Chiba, who is one of the experienced coaches in Africa, has urged his players not to let the win get into their heads. “We have to remain grounded and focused,” he said. “We cannot afford to get ahead of ourselves. Our job is to take each game as it comes and give our best.”

The Atlas Lions were impressive in their win against the Amajimbos, dominating possession and creating several chances. The team’s captain, Hicham Boudaoui, led by example, scoring both goals in the game. He was also named the man of the match.

Chiba was pleased with his team’s performance but acknowledged that there was still room for improvement. “We played well, but we can do better,” he said. “We need to work on a few things and improve on our weaknesses.”

The TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations is an important tournament for African football. It is a platform for young players to showcase their talents and a breeding ground for future stars. The tournament has attracted some of the best young talents from across the continent, and the competition is expected to be fierce.

Morocco is one of the favorites to win the tournament, and the pressure is on Chiba and his team to perform. However, the coach is confident that his players are up to the task. “We have a good team, and we can go all the way,” he said. “But we have to take it one game at a time and remain focused.”

The Atlas Lions’ next game is against Uganda, who lost their opening game to Ivory Coast. Chiba knows that it will be a tough game but is confident that his team can come out on top. “We have to approach the game with the same mentality as we did in the first game,” he said. “We have to be disciplined, work hard, and take our chances.”

In conclusion, Morocco’s head coach, Said Chiba, has called on his team to remain grounded and focused as they embark on their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The young Atlas Lions started off their campaign in style with a convincing win over South Africa, and Chiba is confident that his team can go all the way. The pressure is on the team to perform, but the coach is urging his players not to let the pressure get to them and to take each game as it comes.