Record Number of Scouts Flock to Morocco’s U-17 Africa Cup for Next Soccer Stars

"No youth competition on the continent had ever attracted such a large number of talent scouts," notes the Confederation of African Football (CAF). According to CAF, this record number of talent scouts present at the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations is due to the exceptional organization of the tournament. "Thanks to its strategic geographical location, political stability, and developed infrastructure, Morocco has strengthened its position as a reference point for youth competitions," explains the governing body of football.

The 200 scouts scrutinized all the matches of the U17 CAN in the hope of spotting young footballers who will make sparks on the pitches tomorrow. "These 200 scouts followed the matches of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in the Larbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca, El Bachir in Mohammedia, and the municipal stadium of Berrechid, where they sat in the VIP stands, calm and focused, with their notebooks in hand, wearing the badges of major European clubs around their necks," CAF specified. It is convinced that "with the strong presence of scouts from English, German, French, Belgian, and Dutch clubs, it is clear that the African continent has talents ready to shine at the highest level."

Other clubs also sent their scouts to Morocco. "These European clubs are not the only ones to have sent their representatives to discover talents, as some African clubs, such as Al Ahly from Egypt, Wydad Casablanca, and Renaissance Berkane, as well as Asian clubs like Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates, also participated in the competition," the Confederation informs, adding that some talents from African selections illuminated the Moroccan stadiums with their raw talent, audacity, and vivacity.

After three weeks of intense competition, Morocco won the U17 CAN for the first time in its history by defeating Mali (0-0, 4-2 on penalties) at the end of a balanced match on Saturday, April 19, at the El Bachir stadium in Mohammedia. Five Moroccan players feature in the tournament’s best XI. There is Chouaib Bellaârouch. He is considered one of the main architects of Morocco’s continental triumph thanks to his qualities in goal and his excellence on aerial balls. Moncef Zekri, whose passing accuracy and shot power, as well as his great offensive complicity with Abdellah Ouazane, which allowed Morocco to have a formidable offensive force on the right flank, also made an impression.

The three other Moroccan players are: Driss Aït Cheikh, described as a "corridor dynamiter" and one of the pillars of defense by CAF; Abdellah Ouazane named best player of the tournament and Ilies Belmokhtar, who distinguished himself with his speed and technique.