At just 17 years old, Chouaib Bellaarouch has etched his name into the history books of African football. On Saturday, April 19, 2025, the young Moroccan goalkeeper was crowned Best Goalkeeper of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations—an award that speaks volumes about his outstanding performances throughout the tournament. The undisputed hero of the final against Mali, Bellaarouch once again rose to the occasion by saving two crucial penalties, securing the title for the Atlas Cubs.
Trained at the Mohammed VI Academy, the Atlas Cubs’ last line of defense consistently impressed with his composure, positioning, and reading of the game. Across six matches, he conceded only a single goal, during the quarterfinal win over South Africa (3–1). In the other five games—against Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, and finally Mali—he remained rock solid, making decisive saves and commanding his backline with authority.
Already instrumental in the semifinal against Côte d’Ivoire, where he held firm in a tense and tightly contested match, Bellaarouch carried the hopes of an entire generation on his shoulders. The penalty shootout, often cruel, became the stage of his triumph. While two of his teammates, Ilies Belmokhtar and Abdellah Ouazzane, missed their attempts, the young keeper stood tall. Much like Yassine Bounou against Spain in the 2022 World Cup, Chouaib turned a moment of pressure into a moment of glory.
From a family of goalkeepers—his brother Alaa is also the keeper for the Moroccan U23 side—Chouaib represents the future of the position in Morocco. Strong with his feet, composed in build-up play, dominant in the air and secure on his line, he is the product of elite-level training from an academy known for developing top talents. Morocco can be proud: their last line of defense is not just a champion—he is already a rising benchmark.
