U17 AFCON Final: Infrastructure, Exposure, Secret To Morocco Excellent Performance - Head Coach

U17 AFCON Final: Infrastructure, Exposure, Secret To Morocco Excellent Performance - Head Coach

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Morocco’s head coach Said Chiba revealed that the Morocco Football Federation deliberate effort to build infrastructure and planning many tournaments for the U17 boys are the secret for their excellent performance in the competition.

He added that the level of competition at the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is high, noting that teams have shown immense talent and tactical discipline since the start.

Chiba has guided the Atlas Cubs to their first ever continental final in this age category, and the former Moroccan international spoke to CAFOnline about their journey and ambitions heading to Friday night’s final in Algiers.

He said, "We are doing strategic projects at the Moroccan Federation and this is work that extends for years. We started with creating facilities and infrastructure where we can explore talents from across the country and nurture them.

"In addition to this, we have played many tournaments outside the country which have helped the players to develop well to the extent of reaching the final of the AFCON.

He added, "The technical level of course is very good, and is very high. This shows that there are countries that have invested a lot at the youth level. The African competition in this category is considered one of the most difficult at the global level, and the semi-final matches showed that the African teams in this category are somewhat superior.

"Also, African teams at this age group are the strongest in the world, as Nigeria has been able to win the World Cup five times, and African teams are constantly present at the global stage.

Morocco U17 national team will face Senegal in the final of the 2023 CAF U17 African Nations Cup on Friday night.