FIFA Arab Cup: We will do everything possible to make Morocco proud – Tarik Sektioui

Morocco’s U-23 team is set to make its mark at the Arab Cup in Qatar, running from December 1 to 18, with coach Tarik Sektioui confident his squad can deliver a strong performance.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Sale, Sektioui outlined the team’s objectives, emphasizing that their immediate goal is to advance from the group stage before taking each subsequent match step by step.

“The Atlas Lions will give their all to lift Morocco’s flag high,” he said, acknowledging the challenge posed by other World Cup-qualified teams in the tournament.

The coach revealed that the 26-man squad was carefully selected from an initial pool of 29 players, a difficult decision given the dedication and quality displayed by all candidates.

Preparations included two training camps and friendly fixtures against Egypt and Kuwait, which Sektioui described as instrumental in readying the team.

Three players—Khalid Ait Ourkhan, Ayoub Khairi, and Walid Azaro—have been named as reserves, with the hope that the squad remains injury-free, particularly as some players are set to join just a day before the tournament kicks off.

Morocco will open its campaign on December 2 against the winner of Yemen and Comoros, followed by a December 5 clash with the victor of Oman versus Somalia.

Their final group match will see them face Saudi Arabia on December 8.