Five Moroccan youngsters to watch after U15 World Cup in Baku

Morocco’s participation in the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Football Festival in Baku has highlighted five emerging talents, according to Raja Club Athletic academy coach Salaheddine Noukhili.

The event, held in Azerbaijan from 24 to 30 October, brought together selections representing 189 FIFA member associations. It gave young players the opportunity to experience different football cultures and continue their development in an international setting.

In an assessment of the Moroccan prospects who stood out at the tournament, Noukhili, a former coach of Raja Club Athletic’s youth teams, identified Ayoub Dra, Imran El Mabrouki, Amine Errazgaoui, Soufouan Bellamine and Ziad Aboud as players to follow.

Five prospects identified

Ayoub Dra is a defender from the Beni Mellal Federal Training Centre. He has made four appearances for Morocco Under-15s, without scoring. His early international experience has introduced him to the demands of playing at that level while contributing to the defensive balance of the team.

Imran El Mabrouki, who was developed at the Saidia Federal Training Centre, operates as a central defender. The position requires anticipation, positioning and the ability to read attacking movements, as well as confidence when starting play from defence.

El Mabrouki has seven international appearances for Morocco Under-15s, the highest total among the five players selected by Noukhili. He has not yet scored for the national side, but his regular involvement has given him valuable experience against opponents from different football backgrounds.

Amine Errazgaoui plays as an attacking midfielder. His role involves linking midfield with attack, helping to build moves, finding space between the lines and creating chances for team-mates. Noukhili included him among the players whose continued progress could make them increasingly influential during the next stages of their development.

Soufouan Bellamine represents the Mohammed VI Football Academy and plays in central midfield. He has five international appearances for Morocco Under-15s, with no goals, and has played five matches during the period covered by the statistics, totalling 430 minutes.

The fifth player is Ziad Aboud of Renaissance sportive de Berkane. Primarily a central defender, Aboud has made three appearances for Morocco Under-15s without scoring. He can also play as a defensive midfielder, giving him the flexibility to perform different roles within the team.

Noukhili praises Morocco’s progress

Speaking about Morocco’s campaign in Baku, Noukhili described the Under-15 side as representing “the successes of today and the ambitions of tomorrow” for Moroccan football.

The team, coached by Karim Miftal, won all five of its matches in the competition’s preliminary phase. Noukhili said that record demonstrated the players’ ability to adapt to opponents shaped by different football traditions and cultures.

He also viewed the tournament as an important sporting and human experience. The Moroccan players were able to encounter styles they are less accustomed to facing, beyond the African and European competitions they usually experience.

The eight-a-side format also helped develop their technical and tactical qualities by encouraging players to receive the ball, increasing the pace and creating more one-on-one situations suited to their age group.

For Noukhili, international events of this kind can strengthen the players’ ambitions while showcasing the potential of Moroccan football for the years ahead.