The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the dates and referees for the second-round matches between Morocco and Ethiopia in the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The first leg will take place on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Diri Dawa Stadium in Ethiopia at 1 pm local time. The match will be officiated by Malagasy referee Andriatsara Arno Zavimahatolahy, assisted by his compatriots Larinihon Miladiera and Ravaofi Hasinoro Vitianafana.
The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, starting at 3:30 pm local time. Nigerian referee Abu Bakar Abdullah will be in charge of the match, with his compatriots Ahmed Tijani Mustafa and Tijeri Bismart Degbori serving as assistant referees. The African U-23 Cup of Nations, set to be hosted by Egypt, will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Moroccan Olympic team has been preparing for the qualifiers, with their recent friendly match against Union de Tangier ending in a win. However, the team has faced some setbacks, including the cancellation of two friendly matches against Tanzania and Guinea Equatorial. The team has also been boosted by the return of some key players, including Zakariyya and Zehouni, who are vying for a spot in the Olympic team.
The Ethiopian team will be looking to cause an upset against the Moroccans, who are considered one of the top teams in the competition. The Ethiopian team has been training hard in preparation for the match, and they will be hoping to get a good result in the first leg. The match will be a crucial test for both teams, with the winner advancing to the next round of the qualifiers.
The U-23 Africa Cup of Nations is an important tournament for African teams, as it provides a platform for young players to showcase their talents and gain experience. The tournament also serves as a qualifying event for the Olympics, with the top teams earning a spot in the Olympic Games. The Moroccan team will be looking to make a strong impression in the tournament and qualify for the Olympics.
The referee appointments for the matches have been made, with experienced officials from across Africa selected to officiate the games. The matches will be closely watched, with the outcome likely to have a significant impact on the teams' chances of qualifying for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympics.
The matches between Morocco and Ethiopia will be crucial in determining which team advances to the next round of the qualifiers. The teams will need to be at their best to secure a positive result and take a step closer to qualifying for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympics. The fans will be eagerly anticipating the matches, with the atmosphere expected to be electric.
Key points
- The first leg of the match will take place on November 12, 2026, at the Diri Dawa Stadium in Ethiopia.
- The second leg is scheduled for November 17, 2026, at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
- The U-23 Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Egypt and will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
