Morocco U-23 Secures 1-0 Away Victory Over Ethiopia in Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier

The Morocco U-23 national team secured a vital 1-0 victory against Ethiopia in an away match held at the Dire Dawa stadium. The match, which was part of the second round of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifiers, took place on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Younes El Bahraoui scored the only goal of the match to secure the win for the Moroccan side. While some reports indicated the match occurred on November 13, the official timing of the event was noted as Thursday.

Match Details and Performance

The decisive moment of the match occurred in the first half when Younes El Bahraoui found the back of the net. There were conflicting reports regarding the exact timing of the goal; Moroccan media reported the strike occurred in the 27th minute, while other outlets reported it happened in the 28th minute. One local outlet noted the match was played at 4:00 PM local time.

The Moroccan squad, led by coach Jamal Ait Ben Idir, faced several challenges during the encounter. According to Moroccan media, the team encountered difficulties during the second half of the match due to the artificial pitch at the stadium. Despite these conditions, the Moroccan defense remained solid. Ibrahim Gomis served as the Moroccan goalkeeper during the match, helping to maintain the clean sheet.

The Moroccan delegation had traveled to Ethiopia following their departure from Morocco on the night of Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The squad arrived in Ethiopia on the morning of Wednesday, November 11, 2026, to prepare for the fixture. Coach Jamal Ait Ben Idir had called up a total of 25 players to represent the nation for both the away and return legs of this qualifying round.

Tournament Context and Future Fixtures

This victory is a significant step for the Moroccan U-23 team as they aim for continental success. The current qualifying process is part of the road toward the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to be hosted in Egypt. Success in that tournament is vital because it serves as a direct qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Morocco has a strong history at this level, having won the U-23 title in 2023 after a victory against Egypt. The team will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for the next stage of the competition.

What Happens Next

The Moroccan team will now return home to prepare for the return leg of this second-round qualifier. The second match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. The fixture will be held at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM. Morocco will look to defend their narrow lead and secure their progression in the tournament.

Glossary

• Africa U-23 Cup of Nations — The Africa U-23 Cup of Nations is a tournament that serves as a direct qualifier for the Olympic Games. It is a continental competition for U-23 teams.