CONFIRMED: Mohamed Ouahbi to take charge of Morocco U-23 team coaching role

President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, announced on Monday that Mohamed Ouahbi has been appointed head coach of Morocco’s U-23 national team.

The announcement came during the opening ceremony of an international conference at the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences in Rabat-Souissi, which focused on “Sport and Development in Africa: Football as a Socio-Economic Inclusion Vector.”

Lekjaa highlighted the federation’s commitment to rejuvenating Morocco’s youth national teams, underlining the broader strategy to strengthen the country’s national squads.

Following a bronze-medal finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics under now-head coach Tarik Sektioui, Lekjaa set his sights higher for the 2028 Summer Olympics, aiming for gold.

Ouahbi, who recently led Morocco to the U-20 World Cup in Chile, reportedly turned down multiple international coaching offers, with the FRMF insisting on keeping the Moroccan tactician at home, according to Hesport.

His appointment ensures continuity in nurturing the U-20 World Cup-winning generation.

As Morocco prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Ouahbi will be able to call on key players from that victorious squad, including Othmane Maamma, Gessime Yassine, and Yassir Zabiri.