Moroccan Fans Demand End to Nepotism After U17 World Cup Defeat, Call for Baha's Dismissal
A segment of Moroccan fans, particularly those residing in Qatar, expressed intense anger following the U17 national team's heavy 6-0 defeat to Portugal in the second round of the FIFA U17 World Cup group stage.
Fans demanded the dismissal of coach Nabil Baha, holding him responsible for the "catastrophic" loss against Portugal. They cited his selections and preference for underperforming players, making a clear reference to his son, Ziad Baha.
Supporters highlighted the presence of genuine talents within national clubs such as Wydad AC, Raja CA, Maghreb Fez, and AS FAR. They also pointed out numerous talents in "Ramadan tournaments" who, they believe, deserve the opportunity to wear the national jersey more than some players who participated in the tournament without making any significant contribution.
Some attributed the U17 team's "scandalous" defeat to overconfidence among the players on the field, coupled with a lack of tactical and mental discipline, which led to a collective collapse against the Portuguese side.
A faction of Moroccan fans insisted on the necessity of abandoning the "Wasta" (nepotism/favoritism) logic from the criteria for selecting players to represent the national team. They emphasized that Morocco is rich in genuine talents who rightfully deserve a place in the U17 national squad.
Fans also voiced their dissatisfaction with the Moroccan team's lackluster offensive performance, noting their failure to score any goals in the first two group stage matches of the U17 World Cup. They considered this offensive sterility as evidence of a lack of effectiveness, prompting calls for comprehensive technical changes to salvage the national team's remaining campaign in the tournament.
The Moroccan team holds a slim chance of reaching the U17 World Cup round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. They are set to face New Caledonia next Sunday (14:30 GMT+1) in the third and final group stage match.
