Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire Clash for Final Spot at AFCON U-17 2025
Morocco will host Côte d’Ivoire in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025. Morocco seeks its first title after a successful run on home soil, while Côte d’Ivoire aims to further cement their status as contenders following a penalty shootout victory against Senegal. Both teams symbolize the evolving landscape of African youth football, creating expectations for an exhilarating match.
This Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM, the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will witness a significant clash between Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia. The Moroccan team, known as the Atlas Cubs, seeks to make history by winning this tournament for the first time. Competing on home ground, they are eager to establish a new legacy in their footballing journey, but they face a formidable challenge from Côte d’Ivoire, who displayed remarkable skill in their semi-final qualification against Senegal.
Morocco has displayed impressive form leading to this match, accumulating three victories in the group stage and defeating South Africa 3-1 in the quarterfinals. The team highlights collective discipline and ambition. Elyes Saidi expressed their determination, stating, “The group is doing well, united and focused. We know what we want: to win this AFCON.”
The atmosphere in Mohammedia is expected to be electric, with home supporters providing both motivation and potential pressure. Head Coach Nabil Baha has emphasized the importance of emotional control and chosen Mohammedia for its tranquility, aiding his team’s focus away from distractions. He explained, “I picked Mohammedia as our base camp because it’s a quiet town. I wanted them away from distractions.”
This encounter holds additional significance as Morocco aims not only for the finals but also to build upon their previous experience, where they reached the final in 2023 but fell short against Senegal. Following their qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar 2025, Baha asserted the importance of aiming for the title: “The quarterfinal was important, but now we need to go all the way. You don’t get to play an AFCON semi-final every day.”
Côte d’Ivoire enters the match with confidence, having achieved notable success in the group stage, including victories over Mali and the Central African Republic, along with a draw against Angola. Their resilience was showcased in the quarterfinals when they eliminated defending champions Senegal after a penalty shootout. Their head coach conveyed their intent, stating, “We respect Morocco, but we didn’t come here just to watch.”
The dynamic attacking duo of Yannis Touati and Alynho Haidara exemplify Côte d’Ivoire’s talent, supported by a disciplined midfield that effectively absorbs pressure and counterattacks — a strategy that could pose challenges for the Moroccan side.
This semi-final carries a deeper symbolism as it recalls Morocco’s earlier match in the senior AFCON that benefited Côte d’Ivoire’s progression. When questioned about this connection, Baha dismissed any notion of favoritism: “It would be disrespectful to think they’ll go easy on us. I want a real match — fair, intense, between two great teams.”
The game also exemplifies contrasting football philosophies; Morocco emphasizes possession and precise transitions, while Côte d’Ivoire favors a powerful, direct style. Baha noted the broader implications of the tournament, stating, “They’re still kids. They need to learn how to play, how to lose, how to win, and how to bounce back. This tournament is their school of life.”
In summary, the upcoming semi-final between Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire promises to be a defining moment in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025. Moroccan aspirations for victory on home soil clash with Côte d’Ivoire’s bold ambition, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter embodying the future of African football. Both teams seek to etch their names in history, contributing to a memorable narrative of youth football in the continent.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
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