Morocco will face South Africa in the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday at 7 p.m. GMT, with the host nation seeking to maintain their unbeaten record and continue their dominant form on home soil.
Under the guidance of head coach Nabil Baha, the young Atlas Lions have emerged as the standout team in Group A, collecting two wins and a draw in the group stage without conceding a single goal.
Morocco’s defensive organization has been complemented by sharp attacking displays, netting eight goals across three matches.
Among the standout performers is Illies Bel Moukhthar, whose three goals have made him one of the revelations of the tournament.
This quarter-final marks a significant opportunity for Morocco, who have now reached the knockout stages of the U17 AFCON for the third time in their history, following previous appearances in 2013 and 2023.
Their most recent success came last year with a notable victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals.
With the tournament now being held on home soil, Morocco are aiming to go even further than the semi-final finish they achieved in 2013.
South Africa, meanwhile, arrive at this stage with questions hanging over their consistency.
Finishing second in Group B, their campaign so far has been a mixed bag: a thrilling 4-3 victory over Egypt, followed by a goalless draw with Cameroon and a 2-0 defeat to Burkina Faso.
While they have shown glimpses of attacking threat, their form has dipped since their opening match, and they enter the quarter-finals with back-to-back games without scoring.
Their recent history in the tournament also paints a challenging picture.
South Africa were comprehensively beaten 5-0 by Senegal at this same stage in the 2023 edition, and their overall record against host nations in this competition does little to inspire confidence—two matches, two losses.
Adding to the challenge is Morocco’s strong historical edge in head-to-head encounters.
The two sides last met at the U17 AFCON in 2023, where Morocco secured a 2-0 win.
The North African side also boasts a strong record against COSAFA opposition, suffering just one defeat in four meetings.
With momentum, home support, and tournament pedigree all on their side, Morocco enter Thursday’s clash as clear favourites.
But as football often reminds, knockout matches have little regard for form books.
South Africa will need a sharp turnaround in performance if they are to halt the Atlas Lions’ charge and keep their own hopes alive.
