The head coach of Morocco U17, Nabil Baha, welcomed a “historical” triumph after his team won Mali with punishments around the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
In his press conference after the game, Baha thanked the Moroccan Football Control (FRMF), his employees, his national team manager Walid Regragui and his family for their unshakable support.
“I’m proud of the boys, proud of this title,” said Baha. “The Federation secured us all the way. My family – my wife and children – went through everything.”
Baha, who is in his first big coaching role, called the title A Dream Start. His son scored the opening penalty of Morocco in shooting.
“As a trainer and father, that’s massive,” he said. “I saw a video of one of the fathers of one of the players during the shootout. I thought he would pray for his son, but it turned out that he prayed for mine – Ziyad. This is the type of unity that we built in this squad.”
Despite the tiredness and pressure of a final, Baha never doubted his players. He praised goalkeeper Chouaib Belaârouche for his serenity and decisive parades throughout the tournament.
“We always believed. I knew that we had the advantage with Chouaib in the goal,” said Baha.
The Morocco trainer expects more from this team. He plans a short celebration before moving the focus on the U17 World Cup.
“We will enjoy this for a week, we will prepare for the World Cup. This squad has ambition. We want to go far,” he said.
Baha also praised the total level of competition.
“We were faced with hard sides – the coast of connections, South Africa. African football continues to grow,” he said. “Why not see three African teams in a semi -finals of the World Cup one day?”
He ended with a message to the fans: “This victory belongs to them. Every family, every city – they all played a role. Thank you. This is also your trophy.”
The Atlas Cubs qualified for the U17 FIFA World Championship after led together with Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda and Sambia.
The tournament will first contain 48 teams and will take place in Qatar from November 3 to 27.
