Morocco coach Chiba hails standard of U-17 AFCON

Morocco’s head coach Said Chiba says the level of competition at the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is high, noting that teams have shown immense talent and tactical discipline since the start.

Chiba has guided the Atlas Cubs to their first ever continental final in this age category, and the former Moroccan international spoke to CAFOnline about their journey and ambitions heading to Friday night’s final in Algiers.

“The technical level of course is very good, and is very high. This shows that there are countries that have invested a lot at the youth level. The African competition in this category is considered one of the most difficult at the global level, and the semi-final matches showed that the African teams in this category are somewhat superior

Also, African teams at this age group are the strongest in the world, as Nigeria has been able to win the World Cup five times, and African teams are constantly present at the global stage”

Chiba who remains optimistic that his boys will rise to the occassion against equally determined Senegal revealed that the avalanche of support from Moroccans both home and in the diaspora has been a huge motivation

“We thank the Moroccan fans for their support and their messages which have really pushed the players” he enthused.