Morocco U17s off to winning World Cup start against Panama

Published

10 months ago

November 10, 2023

The Morocco U17 national team began their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Panama on Friday.

In their Group A opener at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, goals from Saifdine Chlaghmo and Ayman Ennair earned the Atlas Cubs three points.

Chlaghmo headed Morocco in front on 16 minutes, rising highest to convert Abdelhamid Maali’s deep corner past Panama goalkeeper Manuel Romero.

Morocco controlled the first half but Panama emerged rejuvenated after the break. The Central Americans nearly equalised on 60 minutes as Oldemar Castillo cut inside and curled just wide.

Minutes later, Panama substitute Frederik Krug somehow side-footed over from six yards out following Hector Rios’ cutback, spurning his side’s best opportunity.

That miss proved costly as Morocco sealed victory in second-half stoppage time. Maali’s clipped ball found Ennair breaking through on goal to delicately lift the ball over Romero.

It was a deserved win for Morocco, who dominated possession and territory against a Panama team that competed well after their timid first half.

Man of the match honours went to tenacious Morocco midfielder Mohamed Hamony for his battling midfield display.

Morocco next face hosts Indonesia on Monday, while Panama take on Ecuador later the same day.

After this opening win, the Atlas Cubs appear well positioned to progress from Group A if they can maintain this form.

Under-17 World Cups to be held every year, says FIFA

Published

6 months ago

March 15, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup will be held annually instead of biennially, with the next five editions from 2025 to take place in Qatar, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.

Like the senior men’s World Cup, the Under-17 tournament will be expanded to 48 teams, FIFA said.

The women’s Under-17 World Cup will also be played annually from 2025, with Morocco hosting an expanded 24-team event until 2029. The 2022 edition had 16 teams.

“This followed a global call for expressions of interest in hosting both competitions, with a focus on leveraging the use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability,” FIFA said.

The last men’s Under-17 World Cup was held in 2023 with Germany winning their first title. Spain won the women’s edition in 2022.

Qatar hosted the 2022 senior men’s World Cup in winter while Morocco are one of the co-hosts for the 2030 edition.

FIFA also said a record $2.25 billion had been earmarked for the 2023-2026 cycle for investment in football development.

“Thanks to its solid financial governance, FIFA is well on track to exceed its budgetary target of $11 billion for the 2023-2026 cycle,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the FIFA Council meeting.

Infantino also called for the imposition of stricter measures to combat racism. Last month, he called for teams to face automatic defeat if their fans displayed racist behaviour.

“The 74th FIFA Congress will mark a milestone in FIFA’s ongoing efforts to fight racism with new and stricter measures to be applied worldwide in cooperation with all our member associations and the confederations,” Infantino added.

Featured

Under-17 World Cups to be held every year, says FIFA –

Published

6 months ago

March 15, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup will be held annually instead of biennially, with the next five editions from 2025 to take place in Qatar, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.

Like the senior men’s World Cup, the Under-17 tournament will be expanded to 48 teams, FIFA said.

The women’s Under-17 World Cup will also be played annually from 2025, with Morocco hosting an expanded 24-team event until 2029. The 2022 edition had 16 teams.

The last men’s Under-17 World Cup was held in 2023 with Germany winning their first title. Spain won the women’s edition in 2022.

Qatar hosted the 2022 senior men’s World Cup in winter while Morocco are one of the co-hosts for the 2030 edition.

FIFA also said a record $2.25 billion had been earmarked for the 2023-2026 cycle for investment in football development.

Infantino also called for the imposition of stricter measures to combat racism. Last month, he called for teams to face automatic defeat if their fans displayed racist behaviour.

U17 WORLD CUP

Magnificent Mali pummel Argentina to win U17 World Cup bronze

Published

9 months ago

December 2, 2023

Kunle Solaja

Hamidou Makalou scored an incredible individual goal as Mali swept aside Argentina to clinch the bronze medal at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Ibrahim Diarra and Mamadou Doumbia were also on target for the dominant African side in Surakarta.

The outstanding Diarra – unquestionably one of the stars of Indonesia 2023 – opened the scoring on nine minutes. The Mali captain expertly controlled a lofted pass from Sekou Kone then placed a precision strike into the bottom corner.

Mali continued to control the game and got the second goal their efforts deserved on the stroke of half-time. Makalou was the creator, with his free-kick delivery headed home by Doumbia.

Mali extended their advantage after the break with a quite astonishing goal. Makalou alighted on the ball just inside the box, nutmegged Tobias Palacio and, with one swift body-swerve, side-stepped Dylan Gorosito and goalkeeper Jeremias Florentin before tapping into an empty net.

Argentina’s Claudio Echeverri – who came on as a half-time substitute – thought he had reduced the deficit with a neat finish shortly after the hour, but he had strayed offside.

Makalou almost scored a spectacular second when his thunderous free-kick smashed off the underside of the crossbar. There were to be no further goals, however, as Mali comfortably saw out a mightily impressive victory.