Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi faced the media after his side’s goalless draw against Nigeria’s Flying Eagles at the ongoing 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Despite both teams showing glimpses of offensive threat, the match ended without a winner. The best chances of the second half fell to Morocco, but Zahouani and Arguigue failed to convert headers from point-blank range.
The Flying Eagles created chances of their own, with Israel Ayuma trying his luck from distance and Emmanuel Chukwu going close with a header, but neither effort tested the Moroccan goalkeeper. After matchday two in Group B, the Atlas Cubs remain top of the group, level on four points with Nigeria but ahead on the number of goals scored.
Speaking to reporters, Mohamed Ouahbi admitted his side faced a tough test in their draw against Nigeria, despite pre-match expectations of a comfortable win.
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He highlighted two things that impressed him about the Flying Eagles squad, noting that they are physically strong and athletic and very ‘different’ from every other team in the competition.
“Some people thought we’d beat Nigeria three or four-nil,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said. “But we knew it would be difficult. They’re physically strong and very athletic and different. Our boys gave everything. We created two clear opportunities but didn’t take them. Now we’re all on four points and need to recover properly. Some players need a bit of rest.”
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The draw means that both teams will have to wait a little longer to secure a place in the knockout stages. Their final group matches will be decisive in determining their fate. Morocco will face Tunisia on Wednesday, while Nigeria will take on Kenya in a simultaneous fixture.
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The Flying Eagles will be looking to capitalize on their chances against Kenya, while Morocco will aim to bounce back against Tunisia. The U-20 Africa Cup of Nations is a platform for young players to showcase their talents and potentially launch their careers onto the global stage.
With the likes of Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, and Mikel Obi having emerged from this tournament, the competition is sure to produce more stars in the making. The outcome of the upcoming matches will go a long way in determining which teams progress to the knockout stages.
