UNAF U17 Championship: Morocco edge Egypt 2-1 to extend winning run

Morocco U17 national team continued their dominant run in the UNAF U17 Championship with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Egypt U17 national team in the third round of the competition, currently taking place in Libya.

From the opening whistle, the young Atlas Cubs showed their attacking intent, putting immediate pressure on the Egyptian defense. Morocco came close to an early breakthrough in the eighth minute after a dangerous attacking move tested Egypt’s backline.

Their persistence paid off in the 24th minute when Ramy Loqmani scored following a well-worked team move, giving Morocco a deserved lead. Egypt responded before halftime, levelling the score in the 42nd minute to take the match into the break at 1-1.

The second half saw Morocco maintain their attacking momentum. They continued probing for the winning goal, and their efforts were rewarded in the 84th minute when Adnan El Bajoufi found the net, securing a late winner and ensuring Morocco’s third consecutive victory in the tournament.

The result underscores Morocco’s dominance in the competition so far. The Atlas Cubs began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Tunisia before following it up with a 3-0 victory against Algeria.

Across three matches, they have scored seven goals while conceding just one, highlighting both attacking efficiency and defensive solidity.

The tournament, held in Benghazi, features five teams including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia in a round-robin format, with the top three sides qualifying for the U-17 AFCON 2026.

Although Morocco are already guaranteed qualification as hosts, these matches are crucial for building rhythm, testing squad depth, and asserting regional dominance.

With maximum points from three matches, Morocco head into their final qualifying fixture brimming with confidence.

The Atlas Cubs are set to face hosts, Libya, next Sunday at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 14:00 GMT+1.