Rabat – Morocco’s under‑16 national team closed their North African Union tournament campaign with a 3–2 loss to Tunisia on Sunday. The result left the young Atlas Cubs in third place, while Tunisia claimed the title.
The match began with Tunisia on the front foot. Mohamed Ben Hussein opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, and Mohamed Iyad Ferchichi doubled the lead before halftime. Just after the restart, Ben Hussein struck again to make it 3-0, putting Morocco in serious trouble.
Despite the setback, Morocco showed spirit in the second half. Said Boudi pulled one back in the 64th minute, and Salah Eddine Taghoui added a second nine minutes later. The late surge gave Morocco hope, but Tunisia held firm to secure the win.
Across the tournament, Morocco displayed flashes of promise but lacked consistency. Their ability to fight back after going three goals down shows the resilience of the squad, yet defensive lapses proved costly. Tunisia’s sharp finishing and control in key moments ultimately made the difference.
For Morocco, finishing third is a reminder of the work still needed at the youth level. The team showed talent and determination, but the gap in concentration and tactical discipline was evident. The experience, however, provides valuable lessons for the players as they continue their development.