Morocco's U17 Team Suffers Second Defeat in African Cup Qualifiers

Morocco's under-17 national team, led by coach Nabil Baha, suffered a second consecutive defeat in the North African Football Union tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the African Cup of Nations. The team lost to Egypt 1-0 in a match played on Friday, November 13, 2026, in the Tunisian city of Sousse. This was their second match in the tournament, following a 1-0 loss to Algeria in their opening game.

The Moroccan team will face their third and final match in the tournament against host country Tunisia on Monday. The team's performance in the tournament has been disappointing so far, with the team failing to score in their first two matches. In contrast, the Moroccan senior team has been performing well, having recently thrashed Niger 5-1 in a 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The senior Moroccan team, led by coach Walid Regragui, has been on a roll, with a convincing 5-1 win over Niger in their 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifier. The match was played at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, and the team dominated the proceedings from the start. Yaser Zabiri opened the scoring in the 4th minute, while Achraf Hakimi scored two goals in the 27th and 34th minutes.

The Moroccan team's star player, Achraf Hakimi, was in top form, scoring two goals and providing an assist for another. The team's victory was a significant one, as it put them in a strong position to qualify for the 2027 African Cup of Nations. The team will look to continue their winning form in their next match.

In other news, the Moroccan Football Federation has successfully secured the eligibility of young player Ayoub Ouafkir, who plays for Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. The player has been granted the necessary license to play for the Moroccan national team, and his inclusion is expected to boost the team's attacking options.

The Moroccan team's coach, Walid Regragui, has announced his squad for the Niger match, with Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, and Noussair Mazraoui among the selected players. The team will look to build on their recent form and secure a win against Niger.

Meanwhile, academics and researchers gathered at the Ibn Tufayl University in Kénitra to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Morocco in the context of its territorial integrity and diplomatic efforts. The conference, which was organized by the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences, brought together experts and scholars to share their insights and perspectives on the issue.

Key points

• Morocco's under-17 team suffered a second consecutive defeat in the North African Football Union tournament.
• The Moroccan senior team thrashed Niger 5-1 in a 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifier.
• The Moroccan Football Federation secured the eligibility of young player Ayoub Ouafkir.