🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Morocco finishes fourth in U17 Africa Cup of Nations after loss to Egypt
via Le Matin8 min read
Morocco's national football team secured fourth place in the U17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco-2026 after a 2-0 defeat against Egypt in the classification match. The game was held on Monday evening at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé. Mohamed El Sayed scored for Egypt in the 33rd minute, followed by Ahmed Beshir in the 90+12th minute. Despite the loss, the Atlas Lion Cubs had already qualified for the U17 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Qatar in 2026, by reaching the quarterfinals of the continental competition.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Moroccan viewers will have access to the national team's matches on public channels without needing paid subscriptions, as SNRT has acquired the broadcasting rights for the Atlas Lions' games in the 2026 World Cup. This move reinforces SNRT's commitment to covering major international sports events and bringing prestigious competitions to the Moroccan public. The matches are expected to generate significant interest in Morocco and among the Moroccan diaspora globally. SNRT plans extensive editorial coverage, deploying teams of journalists, technicians, and radio professionals to the host countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These teams will produce field reports, exclusive content, and analytical programs from the competition sites, aiming to provide comprehensive coverage of the Atlas Lions' participation to Moroccan viewers and listeners.
Morocco has secured its third consecutive African Taekwondo Championship title. The closing ceremony in Mali was attended by the Malian Minister of Youth and Sports, the President of the African Taekwondo Union, and the Moroccan Ambassador to Mali, Driss Isbayene. In the team rankings, the Moroccan men's team finished first, followed by Niger in second and Burkina Faso in third. For the women's teams, Morocco also took first place, with Côte d'Ivoire in second and Mali in third. Overall, Morocco ranked first, followed by Côte d'Ivoire in second and Niger in third. Individual awards included Moroccan referee Naïma Belach as "Best Referee," Badr Smaili as "Best Coach" Men, and Hakima El Meslahy as "Best Coach" Women. Moroccan athletes earned a total of 15 medals: six gold, three silver, and six bronze. Gold medalists were Soufiane El Asbi over 87 kg, Haitam Zaghouti under 80 kg, Mohamed Amine Dhaheri under 68 kg, Amina Dehhaoui under 57 kg, Farah Touzani under 46 kg, and Oumaima El Bouchti under 53 kg. Silver medalists were Nezha El Assal under 46 kg, Hajiba Harkat over 73 kg, and Nada Laaraj under 62 kg. Bronze medals went to Fatima Zahra Nems under 67 kg, Khadija Lamdardar over 73 kg, Lamia El Bekour under 49 kg, Mariam Enniya under 53 kg, Abdelhamid Abdouni under 74 kg, and Zakaria Lakhouir under 87 kg.
Amine Tehraoui, the Minister of Health and Social Protection, announced that 530 newly graduated specialist doctors will be assigned to public hospitals starting in August. This measure aims to eliminate the two-year delay between graduation and assignment, thereby strengthening healthcare provision quickly and effectively. The minister highlighted structural reforms in the training and management of specialist doctors, including a decree that extends contractualization with the state to all new doctors specializing in public health. Under this new system, all new specialist doctors will be required to complete a mandatory service period in public health establishments after graduation: four years for the 2026 and 2027 cohorts, and three years from 2028 onwards. This reform, which breaks with a 33-year-old practice, ensures the contribution of all specialist doctors to public health services during a crucial phase of their careers and promotes equitable distribution to enhance national healthcare. Nearly 2,000 resident doctor positions have been opened this year under the new system, with these cohorts joining public health establishments from 2030 as a key component of Territorial Health Groupings. These groupings will play a central role in organizing, supervising, and assigning resident doctors, as well as in training and internships, aligning training with regional needs and national and regional health maps.
Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presided over the 17th Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting, held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI. This event highlights the King's sustained interest in sports as a driver for human development, inclusion, social cohesion, and youth empowerment. It also underscores the King's focus on athletics, which embodies values of perseverance and fair play, and his commitment to providing optimal conditions for young people to excel. Upon his arrival at the Olympic Stadium, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan reviewed a section of the Royal Guard and was greeted by several dignitaries, including the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Mohamed Saad Berrada, and the president of the Moroccan National Olympic Committee, Faïçal Laraichi. He was also greeted by the president of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, Abdeslam Ahizoune, and the director of the Diamond League circuit, Petr Stastny. The Crown Prince then attended the national anthem and a balloon release, marking the start of the international competition, which features top global athletes and is broadcast live on 150 channels. He observed various high-level competitions where athletes set new meeting records. Established on June 14, 2008, the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting in Rabat is a key part of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation's development plan, aligned with King Mohammed VI's directives. This event annually attracts world-class athletes