The Moroccan U17 national team is set to face a familiar opponent: Mali. The two teams will clash tomorrow in a match that recalls the final of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, an intense game that the Atlas Lions still remember vividly. On the eve of this decisive encounter, national coach Nabil Baha expressed optimism regarding the progress of his squad.
When asked about the Malian opponent, Baha emphasized the mutual knowledge between the two teams. “It’s a team we know well. We have faced them several times in the Africa Cup and the World Cup. It’s an opponent we are now accustomed to,” he stated, recalling that Morocco and Mali frequently cross paths in youth competitions.
The Moroccan coach claims to have identified areas where his team can make a difference: “They have weaknesses, and we will try to take advantage of them, inchallah.” However, he tempered his remarks by stressing the unpredictable nature of such confrontations: “Every match is different. Even if we played against Mali ten times, no match would be the same.”
Baha also praised the growing confidence of his players since the start of the tournament. “The boys gain confidence with each match. They are really eager to win this game against Mali, especially after the U17 AFCON final where they posed us a lot of difficulties. It was a tough challenge, honestly.”
For the coach, the priority is clear: to continue this positive momentum and deliver a solid performance. “Tomorrow will be another match. Inchallah, we will achieve a great performance.”
