The goals for the Moroccan selection were scored by Zakaria Ouazane, author of a double (28th, 57th) and Adam Chakir (86th).
In the semi-final, Morocco will face the winner of the quarter-final, scheduled for Thursday, between Mali and Congo.
Senegal had earlier outclassed South Africa (5-0), also validating its ticket for the World Cup, whose host country has not yet been designated.
The men of national coach Said Chiba started this 100% Maghreb derby with full speed in order to open the score as quickly as possible and put pressure on the opponent.
After a clear domination, the Atlas Lions managed to find the gap in the Algerian defense after half an hour of play. Taking advantage of an error by the Algerian left-back, Aymane Nair slipped down the right side and crossed towards Zakaria Ouazane who scored with a header (28th).
Two minutes later, Mohammed Hammouni came close to doubling the lead, once again taking advantage of a mistake by the opposing defence, but Algerian defender Abdelhak Ben Idder intervened at the right time to prevent the Moroccan striker from scoring.
Stung in their pride, the Algerian players began, timidly, to take risks, but leaving behind them spaces that the Atlas Lions could have exploited on many occasions.
In the 36th minute, the Algerians had their best chance to score, when Mohammed Ali Saleh Zayed found himself face-to-face with Moroccan goalkeeper Taha Benghozil, who managed to save his goal masterfully.
In the second half, the national team managed to manage their lead, while the Algerians had enormous difficulty finding a way through the Moroccan defence.
And while the Algerians were chasing the equalizer, Zakaria Ouazane, well served by Abdelhamid Maali, increased the score in the 57th minute.
This goal reassured the Moroccan players who freed themselves from the pressure and managed to impose their rhythm on this match.
In the 86th minute, Adam Chakir sealed the fate of the match by scoring Morocco’s third goal with a low shot.
Morocco finished the group stage of the U17-2023 CAN as leader of Group B, with six points, thanks to two victories against South Africa (2-0) and Nigeria (1-0) and a defeat (1-2) against Zambia.
Algeria finished 2nd in Group A with four points.
The other two quarters will see Nigeria and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali and Congo, face off on Thursday.
The four semi-finalists will secure their ticket to the World Cup in this category.
2024-08-18 01:34:27