Moroccan forward Ilies Belmokhtar delivered a stellar performance in his team’s commanding 5-0 victory over Uganda at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, securing a brace and earning the Man of the Match award.
The AS Monaco youngster was at the heart of Morocco’s dominant display, showcasing his technical ability and finishing prowess in front of an energetic home crowd in Mohammedia.
Belmokhtar wasted no time making an impact, opening the scoring in the third minute before adding a second just before halftime.
His movement, composure, and lethal finishing made him a constant threat to Uganda’s defense, which struggled to cope with Morocco’s relentless attacking play.
“The game was ours from the start because we noticed Uganda wasn’t pressing us, so we stuck to our game plan,” Belmokhtar said after the match.
Beyond his goals, the 17-year-old played a key role in Morocco’s fluid attacking transitions, linking up well with his teammates and creating space for others.
His versatility and maturity have already made him a standout prospect at Monaco’s youth setup, and Sunday’s performance only reinforced his growing reputation.
With the win, Morocco sent a clear warning to their U-17 AFCON rivals, establishing themselves as early favorites in the tournament.
Belmokhtar’s leadership and ability to rise to the occasion will be crucial as the Atlas Lions look to continue their strong start.
For Uganda, the result was a tough learning experience, and they will now need to regroup quickly ahead of their next match against Tanzania.
