🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Morocco U17 begins AFCON title defense against Tunisia
via Le Matin2 min read
Morocco's U17 national team, the reigning champions, will commence their AFCON 2026 campaign on Wednesday, May 13, facing Tunisia in the opening match at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. Coached by Tiago Lima Pereira, the "Atlas Cubs" previously defeated Tunisia in the North African Football Union tournament in Libya, where they showcased regional dominance with clear victories. To prepare for the tournament, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation implemented a rigorous training program, including concentration camps at the Mohammed VI Complex in Salé, featuring intense tactical sessions and international friendly matches. This strategy aims to build a mentally strong and physically prepared squad to defend their title at home. The stability of the technical staff and the integration of young talents from top training centers provide Morocco with significant squad depth, positioning them as favorites. Morocco is in Group A and will face two challenging matches after their opener against Tunisia. On Saturday, May 16, they will play Ethiopia at the Mohammed VI Complex in Salé. Their final group stage match will be on Tuesday, May 19, also in Salé, against Egypt. The Egyptian team, a historical rival with strong technical skills, previously challenged Morocco in the UNAF tournament, though Morocco ultimately prevailed. The team will need impeccable squad management and constant focus to reach the semi-finals and pursue a historic back-to-back title win on home soil.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
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