Morocco continued their outstanding start to the U15 World Cup with a 7-0 victory over Curacao in Baku, while Tunisia suffered their first defeat and the Democratic Republic of the Congo finally opened their account.
Matches have been coming thick and fast in Azerbaijan. After Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire recorded favourable results earlier on Monday, three more African teams took to the field at 11:30.
The Lionceaux de l’Atlas maintained their perfect record in Group F with another emphatic win. Yassine Ajana and Said Noufii both scored twice, although the scale of the result should be viewed in context: Curacao had already been beaten 17-0 by Costa Rica.
Morocco’s overall record remains highly impressive. They have won all four of their matches, having previously defeated the Philippines 2-0, Costa Rica 4-2 and Belize 6-0. Karim Meftal’s side have scored 19 goals and conceded only two.
With 12 points, Morocco are due to face Liberia later in the afternoon before learning their schedule for the second phase, which is scheduled to take place from 28 to 30 October.
Six of the 14 Moroccan players selected for the tournament come from the Mohammed VI Academy. The competition is already providing a significant platform for the country’s emerging generation.
Tunisia beaten after winning start
Tunisia’s strong run came to an end as the Aiglons de Carthage lost 2-1 to El Salvador.
They had won their opening three games, beating Nepal 3-1, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 3-1 and Guinea-Bissau 6-4 in a high-scoring contest. Tunisia remain on nine points in Group D, but their final first-phase fixture will be against Brazil, the other leading side in the group.
The defeat does not erase the progress made during the tournament, but it highlighted defensive weaknesses in a team that has now conceded eight goals. The meeting with Brazil will provide an even tougher examination.
In the same group, the Democratic Republic of the Congo secured their first victory by defeating Guinea-Bissau 1-0.
The result offered relief to the Leopardeaux, who had begun the competition with three successive defeats against El Salvador, going down 3-2, Tunisia, losing 3-1, and Brazil, who won 3-0.
Zico Tumba’s team now have three points and will look to build on the result against Nepal. After a difficult opening, the win gives them renewed confidence and ensures they will not finish the first phase without a victory.
Elsewhere, Benin were beaten 6-1 by Italy. The Guepards are second-bottom of their group despite having collected four points from four matches.