The Moroccan Under-20 national team has been drawn into a tough group at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, which took place today, Sunday, in Cairo, Egypt. The group includes Nigeria, Tunisia, and Kenya, and is part of Group B.
Date and Competition
The tournament will be held in Egypt from April 27 to May 18, 2025. Morocco returns to participate after qualifying from the North African region, finishing first in the qualifiers held in Suez from November 14 to 26, 2024. The young lions were previously crowned champions in the 1997 edition.
Group Composition
Group A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania
Group B: Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya
Group C: Senegal, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana
Qualification System
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals, alongside the best two third-placed teams. The subsequent stages will be played in a knockout format.
World Cup Stakes
Only four teams will secure their places for the Under-20 World Cup, which will be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19, 2025. The path to the World Cup passes through Cairo, and the competition will not be easy.
Special Context and Surprise Organization
The African Football Confederation re-drew the lots after the tournament was taken away from Ivory Coast for reasons described as "unforeseen." Egypt stepped in to host the tournament with governmental support and reorganized everything in a record time.
The Date Approaches
The Moroccan team must prove itself against strong competitors. Nigeria remains a tough opponent, while Tunisia is a traditional rival that knows Moroccan football well, and Kenya aims to create surprises.
Will the new generation of young players rise to the challenge and replicate Morocco’s achievement from 1997? The answer will unfold on the pitches of Egypt starting from April 27.
