Rabat, Morocco – (African Boulevard News) – The TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations has been nothing short of exciting, with notable performances from different teams. The Moroccan side took on South Africa in what turned out to be an exhilarating match on Sunday. In the end, Morocco emerged victorious, thanks to second-half goals from skipper Abdelhamid Ait Bouldal and substitute Adam Hanin.
First Half Struggle
The opening half was a rather cautious affair, with both teams looking to feel each other out. Morocco began to dominate proceedings after 20 minutes but could not convert their chances into goals. South Africa, on the other hand, was more defensively sound, but they struggled to create any meaningful chances going forward.
Second Half Resurgence
Morocco came out stronger in the second half, and their efforts paid off when Abdelhamid Ait Bouldal poked home a cross from close range in the 50th minute. The Moroccan team grew in confidence and control after the opening goal and continued to create more chances. Substitute Adam Hanin put the game to bed in the 78th minute with an emphatic finish, sealing the victory for Morocco.
Post-Match Comments
Speaking after the game, Morocco’s coach, Mohamed Bouzidi, was delighted with his team’s performance. “We had a slow start, but we showed character in the second half. The substitutions we made during the game helped us win, and I am pleased with the players’ commitment,” he said.
South Africa’s coach, Vela Khumalo, expressed his frustration after the loss. “We were not good enough today, we had a good first half, but we lacked concentration in the second half. Morocco deserved the win, and we have to go back to the drawing board,” he said.
Conclusion
The TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations continues to produce exciting football, and Morocco’s performance against South Africa was no exception. The Moroccan team showed grit and determination to secure the win, and they will be looking to build on this victory when they take on Tanzania in their next game.
