CAN U17: Morocco face Algeria for a place in the semi-finals
Morocco’s Atlas Cubs coach Said Chiba is preparing his players to face Algeria’s Fennecs in the quarter-finals of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations. This meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 11, 2023 at the Chadid Hamlaoui stadium in Constantine.
During his press conference, the coach recalled the challenge of this match which will undoubtedly be difficult, in particular because no team should be underestimated at this stage of the competition. He also underlined the specificity of the derbies played between the Maghreb teams which are characterized by a particular enthusiasm.
To participate in this competition on Algerian soil, Morocco had to negotiate at length. This situation is reminiscent of a similar situation that happened during the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations for the under-19s. The political relations between the two countries, which are not always good, have led to a difficult situation for the players of both teams.
The match in question is the most important Maghreb derby for young players. This increases the risk of tensions outside the stadium and incidents during the match. The club has already experienced this situation in the past and the Moroccan federation hopes that these excesses will not happen again.
Other meetings will take place on the same day for the quarter-finals, these include: Senegal-South Africa, Mali-Congo, Nigeria-Burkina Faso.
Morocco and Algeria will deliver a bitter and hot match at the Chadid Hamlaoui stadium. Let’s hope the sport will trump the political stakes