RABAT: The Moroccan team were greeted by thousands of fans in Rabat on Wednesday for a parade to celebrate their historic victory in the Under-20 World Cup last week.
Morocco became the first Arab country to win the tournament with a 2-0 triumph over favorites Argentina in Sunday’s final in Chilean capital Santiago.
Before the parade, Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan presided over a ceremony in honor of the team at the royal palace.
The players were then driven through the streets of Rabat on an open-top bus, to the delight of jubilant supporters and to the sound of vuvuzelas.
“It’s a great achievement, they filled us with joy and waved our country’s flag high,” Youssef, a 34-year-old salesman, told AFP.
Yassir Zabiri, who plays for Famalicao in Portugal, scored twice in the final to end the tournament as the joint top-scorer with five goals.
“The future of our football is in good hands. Well done guys, U20 world champions,” Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi, who helped the senior team reach the 2022 World Cup semifinals, posted on social media.
Morocco will host the Africa Cup of Nations later this year and will be co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco’s Under-20 World Cup winners welcomed home by large crowds
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Morocco’s Under-20 World Cup winners welcomed home by large crowds
- Morocco became the first Arab country to win the tournament
- The players were driven through the streets of Rabat on an open-top bus
Kanno brace sends Saudi Arabia through while Morocco, Palestine stay on course
- Mohamed Kanno scored twice as Saudi Arabia came from a goalless first half to defeat Comoros
DOHA: Saudi Arabia booked their place in the FIFA Arab Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over tournament debutants Comoros on Friday, while Morocco remained on course for the knockout stages despite being held by Oman.
Mohamed Kanno scored twice as Saudi Arabia came from a goalless first half to defeat Comoros and finish top of their group.
The debutants had threatened an early breakthrough when Affane Said Djambae headed wide in the 20th minute, a miss they would rue.
Deep into stoppage time, a goalkeeping error allowed Salem Al-Dawsari to tee up Kanno for a powerful header, before the pair combined again shortly after the break for Saudi Arabia’s second.
Comoros briefly reignited hopes through Ibroihim Djoudja, but Al-Dawsari sealed the win with a superb solo effort.
Earlier, ten-man Morocco played out a scoreless draw with Oman in Al-Rayyan to retain top spot in Group B.
Captain Abderrazzaq Hamdallah went closest before being sent off early in the second half, but Oman were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Thursday’s action saw late drama once again shape Group A.
Palestine struck in the closing stages for a second straight game to earn a crucial 2-2 draw against Tunisia, leaving them level with Syria at the top of the standings.
Zaid Qunbar, who scored the equalizer, was named player of the match.
Syria also left it late, with Omar Khribin’s stoppage-time goal earning a 1-1 draw with hosts Qatar and keeping qualification finely balanced heading into the final group fixtures.
