By Samuel Ahmadu in Rabat

Hosts and defending champions Morocco delivered a commanding performance in the group stage of the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, winning all three matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding none to confirm their title ambitions.

The Atlas Lions topped Group A with a perfect nine-point record after defeating Algeria, Zambia and Libya, securing qualification for the semi-finals with a match to spare. Their performances combined clinical finishing with defensive discipline as they continued their pursuit of a fourth consecutive continental crown.  

Opening Statement: Morocco 4–0 Algeria

Morocco began their title defence with an emphatic 4–0 victory over Algeria, with Youssef Jouad scoring a hat-trick to give the hosts an impressive start.

The opening win established Morocco as early favourites in Group A and provided the foundation for a campaign in which their opponents struggled to breach the hosts’ defence.  

Seven-Goal Rout Sends Morocco Into Semi-Finals

Morocco raised the tempo in their second match, sweeping Zambia aside 7–0 to confirm their place in the last four.

Idriss Raiss El Fenni was the standout performer, scoring four goals in the third, fourth, ninth and 21st minutes. Yanis Ahmed Erradaf, Soufiane Charraoui and Youssef Jawad also found the net as the hosts produced another dominant display.

The victory took Morocco to six points and secured semi-final qualification before their final group fixture against Libya.  

El Mesrar Leads Libya Demolition

Morocco completed their group-stage campaign with a convincing 6–0 win over Libya, finishing top of the group with maximum points.

Captain Soufiane El Mesrar scored a hat-trick, opening the scoring in the third minute and adding further goals in the eighth and 24th minutes. Othmane Elidrissi contributed a brace, while Bilal Bakkali completed the scoring.

The victory demonstrated that Morocco’s attacking threat extended beyond one individual, with several players contributing throughout the group stage.  

A Perfect Record at Both Ends

Morocco’s group-stage numbers tell the story of their dominance: three victories, 17 goals scored and zero conceded.

Their biggest win came against Zambia, while the clean-sheet victories over Algeria and Libya showed their ability to control matches against different opponents.

The defending champions also demonstrated considerable depth in their attacking options, with El Fenni, El Mesrar, Elidrissi and Jouad among the players who made decisive contributions.

Semi-Final Focus

With their group-stage assignment completed, Morocco now turn their attention to the semi-finals, where they will seek to maintain their momentum and move one step closer to another continental title.

The hosts’ immediate objective is to carry their clinical finishing and defensive organisation into the knockout rounds, where the margin for error becomes smaller.

Morocco’s unbeaten run and perfect group-stage record have placed them firmly in contention, but the decisive test of their championship credentials awaits in the semi-finals.

For the Atlas Lions, they have arrived at the knockout phase in formidable form, with their title defence firmly on track.