Hosts Morocco began the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Uganda in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday night in Mohammedia.
The much-anticipated group A showdown was at El Bachir Stadium as the Atlas Cubs handed the CECAFA side a tough welcome on their return at the continental showpiece.
In the first opening 10 minutes of the contest, Morocco were already in a comfortable 2-0 lead, with more pressure being piled on the opposition Infront of the home crowd.
Monaco winger Ilies Belmokhtar broke the deadlock in the 3rd minute, heading home from a well-crafted cross by Ouazane on the left rank.
Five minutes later, Ait Cheikh doubled the lead for the hosts in a similar fashion before Ziyad Baha made it 3-0 from the spot following a challenge on Belmokhtar inside the forbidden area in the 23rd minute.
Heading into the closing stages of the first stanza, Belmokhtar compeleted his brace, capping off the dominant first half display from Nabil Baha’s troops.
Uganda managed to minimize the damage after re-start, with Ziyad Baha netting the lone goal and his second on the night where his father and former International was watching on from the sidelines.
Morocco showed the intent to lift their first ever AFCON title in the youth category in addition to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive time.They play COSAFA champions, Zambia and Tanzania next on 3rd and 6th April, 2025 respectively.
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