BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Morocco reaffirmed its status as the shining light of African football on Sunday night after a commanding 3–1 victory over the United States propelled the Atlas Cubs into the semi-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Rancagua, Chile.

It marks a historic return to the last four for the North African nation — their first semi-final appearance in two decades — and another proud moment for a country fast becoming synonymous with excellence, discipline, and progress in world football.

Despite a spirited opening by the Americans, who dominated possession in the early stages, Morocco’s tactical maturity and lightning counterattacks proved decisive.

 In the 32nd minute, Saad El Haddad burst down the left flank and delivered a teasing cross to Othmane Maamma. Though his initial shot was saved, Maamma’s clever flick in the follow-up set up Fouad Zahouani for the simplest of finishes, sending Moroccan fans into raptures.

The USA clawed back into the contest just before halftime when Nolan Norris was brought down in the box by Ali Maamar, allowing Cole Campbell to convert from the spot. But Morocco’s response was a masterclass in composure and resilience.

Early in the second half, Zahouani again proved instrumental — his long throw unsettled the American defence, and Yassir Zabiri’s volley deflected off Joshua Wynder into the net to restore Morocco’s lead.

The Atlas Cubs sealed the victory late in the game when Gessime Yassine pounced on a defensive blunder to fire home, securing Morocco’s passage to the semi-finals against France in Valparaíso on Wednesday.

Speaking after the match, goalscorer Othmane Maamma praised the collective spirit that has come to define the Moroccan side:

“I’m not going to talk about Man of the Match because it’s thanks to my teammates that we put in a real team performance. It was our mentality and the love of the people that made us play such a great game tonight. We trusted our plan and believed in ourselves.”

Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, visibly proud of his team’s evolution, added:

“We know we can hurt any team because we’ve got quality all over the pitch. Our defenders are solid, and our attackers defend as well. This generation is writing its own story — they deserve this moment. It’s a joy to work with them.”

From historic World Cup hosting rights to continental dominance at both club and national levels, Morocco continues to chart a new course for African football — one marked by investment, vision, and unrelenting ambition. Sunday’s triumph in Chile only reinforces the Kingdom’s growing reputation as Africa’s standard-bearer on the global stage.

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By KUNLE SOLAJA.

Morocco’s rise as the shining beacon of football development in Africa gained further validation on Thursday night as their U-20 team booked a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025, following a 2–1 victory over Korea Republic in Rancagua.

The hard-fought triumph — secured through Yassir Zabiri’s decisive header and an early own goal — was not just a win on the pitch, but another proud chapter in Morocco’s ongoing football renaissance.

The Atlas Cubs have become the perfect embodiment of the Kingdom’s sustained investment in youth football, technical education, and modern infrastructure — the fruits of a long-term vision spearheaded by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and backed by the state’s commitment to sport as a tool of national development.

So, when Yassir Zabiri’s soaring header found the net in Rancagua, it was more than just another victory.

It was a statement — a reflection of a football nation that has redefined what development, planning, and ambition mean on the African continent.

For decades, Morocco has been at the forefront of African football, but what the world is witnessing today is something far deeper than on-field talent. The rise of the Atlas Cubs is the product of a meticulous, long-term vision — one that has transformed Morocco into the flagship of football development in Africa.

The Match That Reflected a Movement

Against Korea Republic, the young Atlas Cubs displayed the hallmarks of a football culture built on structure and intelligence.

From the opening whistle, they showed calmness under pressure, precision in movement, and an understanding of tactical responsibility rarely seen at youth level.

Korea nearly drew first blood when Kim Taewon’s effort was miraculously cleared off the line by Ismael Baouf.

But Morocco, disciplined and confident, hit back almost instantly. Zabiri’s acrobatic attempt took a fortunate deflection off Shin Minha to give them the lead — an early reward for their assertive start.

The North Africans controlled the rhythm thereafter, mixing technical flair with defensive composure. Then, midway through the second half, came the goal that underlined their intent: Othmane Maamma, a constant menace on the flank, delivered a perfect cross that Zabiri headed home for 2–0.

Although Korea pulled one back from the spot deep into stoppage time, Morocco’s victory was never truly in doubt.

“It was a tough match,” said Maamma afterward, reflecting the group’s collective focus. “We’ve worked hard to bounce back from the loss to Mexico. Now, we just have to keep going and stay focused on what’s next.”

Blueprint for an African Football Revolution

Morocco’s success at youth level is not a coincidence; it is the direct outcome of a national project that began over a decade ago. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), under the leadership of President Fouzi Lekjaa, invested heavily in coaching, scouting, and infrastructure — the foundations that most African nations still treat as secondary.

The jewel in that crown is the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, near Rabat — a sprawling, FIFA-accredited facility that stands among the finest in the world.

Housing over 30 pitches, high-performance gyms, dormitories, and sports science labs, it serves as both an academy and a university of football. Every Moroccan national team — men’s, women’s, youth, and even referees — has benefited from its resources.

The results speak for themselves. Morocco became the first African nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final in Qatar 2022, their women’s team reached the final of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, while clubs like Wydad Casablanca and RS Berkane have turned continental success into habit.

Now, the youth teams are carrying that torch forward.

A Culture of Continuity

Morocco’s rise has been guided by consistency. Coaches across all levels of the national setup work under a unified philosophy that emphasises technical intelligence, tactical flexibility, and professionalism.

The country’s domestic league has also benefited, with improved facilities, better coaching education, and stricter licensing standards.

In a continent where football success often depends on raw talent and fleeting moments of brilliance, Morocco’s story stands out for its structure and sustainability. It is a reminder that success is not born overnight — it is built through systems, not slogans.

The Broader African Context

As Morocco soar, other African powerhouses — including Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon — continue to grapple with instability, administrative crises, and funding gaps. The contrast could not be starker.

While others react to failure with short-term fixes, Morocco plan decades ahead.

That philosophy now sees their U-20 side marching confidently into the last eight of the World Cup, where they will face the United States on Sunday.

Regardless of the outcome, Morocco’s campaign has already underscored their position as the model African football nation — a mirror in which others must now look to find their way forward.

The New Standard

In Chile, the Atlas Cubs are not just chasing a title. They are carrying the weight of a football movement that has turned Morocco into Africa’s most organised and forward-looking sporting nation.

Each pass, each goal, and each disciplined display is part of a larger story — one of vision, investment, and identity. Morocco are no longer just participants in world football.

They are the standard-bearers of African excellence — and every step they take on the global stage reaffirms that truth.

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Just like Brazil did to the Nigerian Flying Eagles 38 years in Concepcion, Chile, so has done Rampant Argentina as they humiliated Nigeria 4-0 in the Round of 16 of the ongoing Under 20 World Cup.

Thesix-time champions Argentina did not waste much time as they began scoring just two minutes the match in Santiago. By the time the dust settled, the Flying Eagles had conceded two goals in each half.

The humiliating defeat not only avenged a 2-0 loss to Nigeria two years ago, it eliminated the Flying Eagles from the tournament.

From the very first whistle, it was a nightmare unfolding for Nigeria. Barely two minutes in, Alejo Sarco silenced the West Africans with a crisp opener that shattered their early rhythm. Things went from bad to worse in the 23rd minute, when Maher Carrizo curled in a brilliant free-kick after Nasiru Salihu’s mistimed challenge at the edge of the box — a goal that left Nigeria’s defensive wall and goalkeeper rooted in disbelief.

Nigeria’s brief glimmer of hope came when Salihu appeared to be fouled by Ramirez inside the box, but the referee waved away appeals for a penalty, compounding their frustration.

With the Argentines dominating possession and dictating the pace, Nigeria’s attacks came in desperate flashes.

Oseer Achihi’s darting runs down the left flank occasionally unsettled the South Americans, but his dangerous crosses found no finishing touch.

Even Daniel Daga’s stoppage-time effort, Nigeria’s best chance of the first half, was spectacularly denied by goalkeeper Santino Barbi, keeping the scoreline at 2-0 at halftime.

Whatever hopes Nigeria harboured of a second-half comeback evaporated quickly. Carrizo struck again in the 53rd minute, finishing off a swift Argentine counter-attack that sliced open Nigeria’s backline.

By the time substitute Matheus Silvetti beat the offside trap and curled home Argentina’s fourth in the 66th minute, it was clear the Flying Eagles were facing a total collapse and will be flying home.

Outclassed, outpaced, and outscored, the defeat marked one of Nigeria’s heaviest in recent U20 World Cup history.

The Flying Eagles — two-time runners-up — exit the tournament with a bitter taste, undone by Argentina’s ruthless precision and their own defensive frailties.

For the Albiceleste, it was not just victory — it was vengeance delivered in emphatic style.

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