Today at 3:00 p.m., CAN U17 final: Morocco at the time of the big jump against Mali

This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:

Hibapress-Rabat-Caf

Today Saturday at 3:00 p.m., in Mohammedia, Morocco will play much more than an African Cup of Nations U17 CAF Totalnergies. He will play history. In front of his audience, in an El Bachir stadium promised to the boil, the U17 selection will try to end an anomaly as tenacious as it is surprising: the Atlas lion cubs have never won the slightest continental title in this category.

Unhappy finalists in 2023 against Senegal (2-1), Nabil Baha’s protégés hold their revenge, and perhaps their time. This time, the decor is planted with them. And the opportunity is immense.

“It’s a moment that we have been preparing for a long time,” admits Baha. Playing an African Cup final is the dream of any coach, any player, to endure everything. And playing it at home, in front of their people, is even stronger. »»

In the eyes of his players, the former Moroccan international reads a cold determination, that of those who know that they have an appointment with history. At the pre-match press conference, the tone was laid, but the words weighed. “There is pressure, of course, because we are with us. But the boys are motivated, they want to go and seek this victory. We will face Mali with respect, but without complex. »»

An assumed heritage

Baha never presented himself as a Savior. He knows where he comes from, and especially what he is based on. Arrived at the head of the selection after Said Chiba, craftsman of the course to the final during the 2023 edition, the technician always wanted to register his work in continuity. “Said did a remarkable job. He knew how to build a solid group, and lay the foundations of a competitive team. What we live today is also thanks to him. It is important to say it. »»

The new coach has revolutionized anything. It has refined, structured, densified. Under his leadership, the lion cubs gained defensive rigor, without losing anything from their verticality. “We don’t win a CAN without being balanced,” he continues. We have players capable of making the difference in front, but the collective seat is the key. »»

A final to live, and to win

Morocco has not crossed this CAN 2025 without incident. In the semi-finals, against a catchy Ivory Coast (0-0, 4 Tab 3) it was necessary to tear down, draw away. But the lion cubs held. “This match has forged us. He showed that we knew how to suffer and react. He also proved that we were mentally ready for this kind of fight. »»

If the scenarios are numerous, Baha and his staff have envisaged everything. Mark early, keep the scoring, come back after a closed goal, go to penalties … “We have prepared all cases. This kind of finish is played out on details, on freshness, at the moment. Our players are ready. »»

And when asked what a continental coronation would represent at home, the coach does not hide his emotion: “It would be an immense honor. Pride for me, for my staff, for all those who worked in the shadows. But above all, for these young people, who deserve to make history. »»

In Mohammédia, it will not only be a question of playing a final. It will be a question of winning it. To close a cycle. To honor an inheritance. And, above all, to open a new chapter of Moroccan football, this time written in gold letters.