PROGRES.ID – The 2023 U-17 World Cup will be Morocco’s second opportunity to participate in the global youth football tournament. This time, Morocco is considered one of the teams to watch and is seen as a dark horse.
The North African team will be in the same group as Indonesia, the host of the 2023 U-17 World Cup. This means that the Moroccan U-17 national team could be one of the opponents that the Garuda Muda squad needs to defeat to advance to the knockout stage.
This time, the team led by Said Chiba successfully qualified for the final round of the 2023 U-17 World Cup with an impressive performance. They finished as runners-up in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held earlier this year in Algeria.
Morocco U-17’s journey from the group stage to the final was highly impressive, as they defeated strong teams such as Nigeria, South Africa, and even the host, Algeria. Unfortunately, they had to acknowledge their defeat to Senegal in the final, despite being in a favorable position until the 80th minute.
In Group A of the 2023 U-17 World Cup, besides facing the host Indonesia, Morocco will also face Ecuador and Panama.
Key Player of Morocco U-17: Taha Benrhozil
Morocco has continued to produce talented football prospects over the last ten years, and one of the latest talents is Taha Benrhozil.
Benrhozil is a talented young goalkeeper from Morocco. He has shown consistent performance over the past year. Benrhozil played a crucial role in Morocco’s success in reaching the final of the 2023 U-17 World Cup.
In the qualifying semifinals, Benrhozil became the hero in a penalty shootout, helping his team defeat Mali. Despite his youth, Benrhozil displays a very calm playing style with sharp reflexes.
Morocco U-17 Coach: Said Chiba
Said Chiba has an impressive playing career, with more than 40 victories while representing the Moroccan national team before deciding to transition into coaching.
Chiba’s coaching career has developed slowly. He began by coaching Qatar Sports Club and later worked as an assistant coach for the senior Moroccan national team under Ezzaki Badou.
Chiba then coached several clubs in Morocco before returning to coach the national team, particularly the junior team. This is where his coaching abilities shine. He excels in guiding young players and protecting them from pressure.
Morocco U-17 Squad List
- Goalkeepers: Taha Benrhozil, Hamza Jlid, Amine Ezzarhouni.
- Defenders: Hamza Koutoune, Fouad Zahouani, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Naoufel El Hannach, Saifdine
- Chlaghmo, Yasser El Aissati, Mouad Bougaizane, Hatim Aoufir, Ismail Bakhti.
- Midfielders: Adam Boufandar, Anas Alaoui, Ayoub Chaikhoun, Imran Nazih, Mohamed Katiba, Mehdi
- Akoumi, Mohamed Hamony.
- Forwards: Mohamed Rashidi, Nassim Azaouzi, Abdelhamid Maali, Zakaria Ouazane, Ayman Ennair.
Morocco’s Schedule in the 2023 U-17 World Cup
Group A
Panama vs Morocco
- November 10, 2023
- Gelora Bung Tomo
- 4:00 PM WIB
Morocco vs Ecuador
- November 13, 2023
- Gelora Bung Tomo
- 4:00 PM WIB
Morocco vs Indonesia
- November 16, 2023
- Gelora Bung Tomo
- 7:00 PM WIB
