The coach of Morocco's U20 national football team, Mohamed Ouahbi, stated on Sunday in Cairo that his Atlas Cubs are determined to show the same drive and tactical discipline in order to «go as far as possible» in the Africa Cup of Nations (Egypt 2025). Speaking at a press conference ahead of Monday's quarterfinal clash against Sierra Leone, Ouahbi praised his players' qualities and their strong awareness of the team's objectives, highlighting the progress made over two years of consistent work. He also commended the discipline displayed by the squad during the group stage, which they topped. Regarding the upcoming match, Ouahbi acknowledged Sierra Leone's impressive performance in the tournament, noting that the team has been one of the surprise packages. «Although Sierra Leone has never qualified for an AFCON before, their attacking statistics show they've fully embraced their role as underdogs», he said. For his part, Atlas Cub Hossam Essadak stated that the players are committed to strictly following the coach's instructions on the pitch to reach the semifinals and secure a place in the World Cup. Sierra Leone's coach, Mohamed Lamine Kamara, emphasized that his players are aiming to «make history for Sierra Leonean football», as this marks the country's first-ever appearance in the U20 AFCON finals. «We have a lot of respect for the Moroccan team—one of the best on the African continent», he said, while expressing confidence in his side's ability to achieve a positive result in the quarterfinal.
