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.
