Morocco's U20 national team, also known as the Atlas Cubs, secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Algeria in the North African Football Union (UNAF) qualifiers for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations. The match took place at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt. The win was achieved thanks to second-half goals from Sami Bouhoudane, Mohamed Mounssef, and Ilyass Hiddaoui. This triumph marks the team's first victory in the UNAF qualifying tournament.
The match began with a goalless first half, but Morocco gained momentum shortly after the break. Sami Bouhoudane opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, followed by Mohamed Mounssef who doubled the advantage just two minutes later. Ilyass Hiddaoui added Morocco's third goal in the 64th minute. Despite Algeria finding the net, Morocco's lead remained intact, securing all three points for the team under coach Ludovic Batelli.
This victory brings Morocco a total of four points from their opening two matches in the tournament. The Atlas Cubs started their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Tunisia on September 27, having received a bye in the opening round. Algeria, with four points from three matches, was left reeling from the defeat. The UNAF tournament features Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, competing in a single round-robin format.
The top two teams in the UNAF tournament will qualify for the 2027 U20 AFCON finals in Ghana. With two matches remaining, Morocco is in a stronger position in the qualification race. The team will next face host nation Egypt on October 3 at the Suez Canal Stadium. Their final qualifying match is against Libya on October 6 at Ismailia Stadium.
Algeria's defeat leaves them with four points from three matches. They had previously drawn 1-1 with Tunisia and beaten Libya 3-1. The competition, being held in Egypt from September 24 to October 6, follows a single round-robin format where each team plays four matches.
Morocco's win over Algeria has bolstered their chances of advancing to the 2027 U20 AFCON finals. Coach Ludovic Batelli's team demonstrated resilience and skill, particularly in the second half. The Atlas Cubs' performance has been a significant factor in their current standing in the tournament.
The outcome of the match was confirmed by Morocco's official national team account shortly after the final whistle. With this win, Morocco is well-positioned to potentially secure a spot in the 2027 U20 AFCON finals. The team's progress in the qualifying tournament has been notable, with key contributions from players like Sami Bouhoudane, Mohamed Mounssef, and Ilyass Hiddaoui.
Key points
- Morocco's U20 team defeats Algeria 3-1 in UNAF qualifier.
- The win gives Morocco four points from two matches in the tournament.
- Morocco's next match is against Egypt on October 3.
