Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), has highlighted the critical role of victory and competitive success in shaping young football talent, following Morocco’s silver-medal finish at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
Speaking during a ceremony at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora on Tuesday, held in honour of the national U20 team, Lekjaa emphasised that winning titles is a key component in the training and development of professional footballers. “Winning competitions plays an educational role and is an integral part of a player’s development,” he stated.
While commending the team’s qualification for the upcoming U20 FIFA World Cup, Lekjaa maintained that instilling a winning mentality must begin at the earliest stages of a player’s career.
“Whether in a friendly or an official match, players must maintain the same competitive spirit,” he said firmly.
The FRMF president underlined the importance of cultivating a mindset that motivates players intrinsically, calling on the team to approach the World Cup fully prepared, both mentally and physically.
“This culture of winning should inspire all players to push themselves and deliver peak performances on the world stage,” he noted.
Reflecting on the team’s overall performance throughout the AFCON tournament, Lekjaa acknowledged a mix of promising and disappointing displays. “Some matches lived up to the public’s expectations, while others fell short,” he remarked.
Nonetheless, he reiterated that the ultimate ambition remains to see players from this age group eventually rise to represent Morocco at the senior national level.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi echoed Lekjaa’s sentiments, expressing pride in the team’s unity and efforts despite falling short in the final. Morocco was narrowly defeated 1-0 by South Africa in the championship match held in Cairo.
“The disappointment is still fresh, but we don’t have time to dwell on it—the World Cup is fast approaching,” said Ouahbi.
He noted that several players were themselves unsatisfied with their performances, which he viewed as a positive indicator of the squad’s standards and ambition.
“That kind of self-awareness is encouraging. Now we’ll allow the players some recovery time while we assess additional talents. The demands of the World Cup mean we’ll need to select the most in-form individuals,” he explained.
Team captain Mouad Dahak also shared his reflections, admitting that the players had hoped to bring the AFCON trophy home.
However, he stressed that the focus has now shifted entirely to the challenges ahead. “We must move on from the AFCON and concentrate on improving ourselves for the World Cup,” he said.
Nigeria secured third place in the tournament after defeating hosts Egypt 4-1 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Alongside Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt, Nigeria will also compete at the U20 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in Chile from 27 September to 19 October.
As Morocco turns its attention to global competition, both officials and players appear determined to transform the lessons of near-victory into future triumphs on the world stage.
