The Moroccan U20 national team won a friendly match against Sierra Leone 2-0 at the Mohammed VI Complex on Saturday night, with goals scored by Ismail Al-Aoud and Adnan Kharoubi.

Both nations used this match as part of their preparation for the upcoming African Cup Of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Sierra Leone has made significant changes by bringing in several foreign-based players to identify those who can make the final list for the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast next month.

Notable players starting for Sierra Leone in a friendly match against Morocco include Samal Bangura from Tottenham Hotspur, Cayden Cole from Hull City, David Kalokoh from AFC Ajax, Kelvin Kargbo from AFC Wimbledon, and Hindolo Mustapha from Crystal Palace Football Club.

Sierra Leone’s next match is against Ghana on Saturday, March 25, where they aim to build on their performance before the continental tournament.

The stakes are high, as the four teams reaching the semi-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will earn spots in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will take place in Chile. Senegal’s Junior Teranga Lions enter the competition as the defending champions.

In a previous match, Morocco defeated Ghana 1-0 at the Mohammed VI Complex. This victory was particularly noteworthy because Morocco played with one less player for over 70 minutes after Faisal El Meziani was sent off in the first half.

Ilias Boumassaoudi, a winger from FC Den Bosch in the Dutch first division, scored the only goal of the match after excellent teamwork set him up.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s team demonstrated strong teamwork and discipline, successfully defending their lead against a Ghanaian team that was unable to score.

Even with one player down, the Moroccan team showed positive signs as they prepared for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to take place in Ivory Coast from April 26 to May 18, 2025.