Morocco powered into their first-ever Arab Cup final with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates at Al Rayyan in Qatar, extending a remarkable unbeaten run in the tournament.
Four years after exiting at the quarter-final stage, the Atlas Lions have gone several steps further this time after goals from Karim El Berkaoui, Ashraf El Mahdioui, and Abderrazak Hamdallah sealed a dominant semi-final performance.
El Berkaoui, 30, continued his fine form by opening the scoring, registering his third goal of the tournament and underlining his importance to this fearless Moroccan side.
Morocco qualified to the final unbeaten having conceded just one goal in five matches - an own goal in their opening game against Comoros. Since then, their defence has been rock solid, providing the platform for a confident and fluid attacking display.
As the last remaining African nation in the tournament, Morocco have carried continental pride with authority, standing tall among 16 nations drawn from both CAF and AFC.
The achievement is all the more impressive given Morocco travelled to the Arab Cup without many of their star players, who are preparing for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
Yet head coach Tarik Sektioui has expertly tapped into the nation’s growing depth, blending discipline, hunger, and tactical clarity. Morocco will hope to follow in the footsteps of Algeria, the only African nation to have lifted the Arab Cup, after their triumph in 2021.
Moroccan football is enjoying its most successful period in history. From the senior team’s rise to continental power, to the U-20 side’s recent World Cup triumph in Chile, optimism is everywhere; and with AFCON 2025 approaching, belief continues to grow.
