AFCON U-17: Tunisia, Morocco Split Points in Gritty Rabat Opener
Morocco launched their quest for continental glory with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Tunisia on Wednesday evening, as the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations kicked off in a vibrant Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
The Group A clash, a classic North African derby, delivered the intensity and tactical discipline expected of two regional heavyweights, leaving the group perfectly balanced after the opening round of fixtures.
The visitors silenced the home crowd early on, establishing a defensive rhythm that frustrated the young Atlas Lions. In the 28th minute, Tunisia’s Yahia Jlidi seized on a momentary lapse in the Moroccan backline.
Capitalizing on a swift attacking transition, Jlidi showed remarkable composure to slot the ball home, giving the Tunisians a precious lead. Morocco attempted to respond before the interval, but the Tunisian “Carthage Eagles” maintained a compact shape, heading into the locker rooms with a deserved 1-0 advantage.
Tactical adjustments during the break saw the hosts emerge with renewed vigor. Morocco dominated possession in the second half, utilizing the width of the pitch to stretch a tiring Tunisian defense. The pressure finally told in the 76th minute.
Ismail Al-Aoud orchestrated the breakthrough, delivering a pinpoint assist into the path of Elian Hdidou. The clinical finish sparked celebrations across Rabat, leveling the score and setting up a frantic final quarter-hour.
Energized by the equalizer, the Moroccan side threw everything forward in search of a late winner. They peppered the Tunisian box with crosses and long-range efforts, but the visitors’ defense, led by a disciplined goalkeeper, refused to buckle under the atmospheric pressure of the host nation. Despite several close calls in stoppage time, the final whistle confirmed a stalemate that perhaps best reflected the competitive nature of the match.
This result leaves Group A in a fascinating deadlock. Morocco and Tunisia sit at the top of the standings with one point apiece, mirroring the situation of Egypt and Ethiopia following their respective opening fixtures.
Hosting a tournament of this magnitude brings significant expectation, and while a win proved elusive, the resilience shown by the Atlas Lions to recover from a goal down provides a solid psychological foundation for the matches ahead.
Tunisia proved they possess the counter-attacking bite to threaten any side in the tournament, while Morocco demonstrated the creative depth necessary to break down low-block defenses.
