Kinshasa, May 10th, 2023 (CPA) – The coach of the Atlas Cubs of Morocco, Said Chiba, has rearmed Tuesday, the morale of his players to stand firm against the Fennecs of Algeria, in the quarterfinals of the 15th edition of the African Cup of Nations under 17 years, scheduled Wednesday at the Chadid Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine, under the stroke of 20 pm, local time, learned the CPA from the site of Afrikfoot.
Coach Said Chiba, who said at the pre-match press conference, said that this match will not be easy given that at this stage of the competition, there are no weak teams.
. »A derby in a quarter-final of the CAN, regardless of the age group, is never a match like any other. All the matches between the North African teams have a special flavour, they are derbies that are played with a lot of enthusiasm, everyone wants to win. I asked the young boys to hold on, » said Said Chiba, who clearly does not minimize the stakes of this match.
Morocco’s participation in this tournament organised by Algeria was dearly acquired at the cost of several negotiations. It took a frank mediation of the African Football Confederation (CAF) for the Moroccan delegation to finally leave Rabat by a direct flight to Constantine. And yet, four months ago, in January, Algeria had categorically refused the same route to the Moroccan delegation to take part in the 7th edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). The political situation between the two countries was at the root of this misunderstanding. And Morocco did not participate in this edition of the CHAN.
For the CAN U17, they will have to outdo themselves
For the CAN U17, the two countries have outdone themselves, and the Cubs did well on Algerian soil for the competition. Placed in Group B with Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia, Morocco finished top of the group with 6 points after beating South Africa (2-0) and Nigeria (1-0). Zambia on the other hand, gave them a slap in the face, with the final score being 1-2 for Zambia.
Algeria, for its part, in group A, made a good start by beating Somalia (2-0), before falling heavily to Senegal (0-3), to be caught by a draw on the third day against Congo (1-1). The two teams will now meet in the quarter-finals for a place in the semi-finals.
A member of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) contacted on Wednesday by the ACP fears that there will be overflow before, during and after the match: « The last time Algeria-Morocco went badly for our Cubs. We hope that this time, it will be a good match and that there is no overflow, everything will go well in a sporting framework. It is still the children, » he reacted anonymously, fearing for the safety of their children under 17 years old.
Before the Morocco-Algeria clash, there will be from 17:00, Senegal-South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers. The quarter-finals will continue on Thursday 11 May with Mali-Congo at the Stade du 19 mai 1956, in Annaba; and at 8pm: Nigeria-Burkina Faso at the Stade Nelson Mandela, in Algiers. ACP/
