Moroccan U17 Team Gears Up for North African Championship
The Moroccan U17 national football team, under the leadership of coach Nabil Bahe, is preparing to participate in the prestigious North African Football Union Championship, taking place in Tunisia from November 9 to November 17, 2026. This tournament serves as a qualifying event for the upcoming Africa U17 Cup of Nations, scheduled for 2027. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced that the competition will be hosted in the cities of Sousse and Monastir, featuring four participating teams: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt. Each team will vie for two spots available for the continental finals.
The young Atlas Lions will kick off their campaign against Algeria on November 10, followed by a match against Egypt on November 13. Their group stage journey will conclude with a clash against the host nation, Tunisia, on November 16. In preparation for the tournament, Nabil Bahe has summoned a squad of 25 talented players, representing various clubs and academies from Morocco, as well as several European teams.
The roster includes promising talents such as Iyad Hamzi, Adam Souna, Ayman Ait Hamou, and Younes Floula from the Mohammed VI Football Academy, alongside players like Youssef Lahnich, Jad Jemila, and Mohamed Reda El Souni from Fath Union Sport. Additionally, the squad features Sami Idahmad and Othmane Kam from Nahdat Berkane, along with Amin Bakari of Raja Casablanca.
International representation is also significant in the squad, with players like Mohamed Reda Akherir from Granollers in Spain, Ryan Seloulou from Metz in France, Elias Bounehr from KAS Eupen in Belgium, and Elias Hweira from FC Copenhagen in Denmark. Other notable players include Ryan Alarifani from Charleroi in Belgium, Damin El Faida from RB Leipzig in Germany, and Noam Valera from Brest in France. The team also boasts talents from prestigious clubs such as Chelsea, Genk, Ajax Amsterdam, Standard Liège, Utrecht, and Gent, showcasing the depth and potential of Moroccan football talent on the international stage.
According to the tournament's format, the top two teams from the final standings will qualify for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations 2027, making this championship a critical opportunity for Morocco's young athletes to shine and secure their place in African football history.
As reported by kifache.com.
