U-17 Women’s World Cup: Rahmoune blames mental fatigue for Morocco exit

Morocco women’s U-17 player Maryam Rahmoune has blamed the team’s exit from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the Round of 16 stage to mental fatigue.

The Young Atlas Lionesses failed to progress to the last eight of the competition on home soul after suffering a 6-1 defeat against reigning champions Korea DPR on Tuesday.

Four games, four wins. 🤩

Korea DPR are not messing around in the #U17WWC! pic.twitter.com/6dFOIxpQnd

— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) October 28, 2025

Korea DPR scored with their first attack, as Morocco failed to clear and Yu Jong-hyang headed into the net. In short order the advantage was doubled on a clever back-heeled finish from Kim Won-sim off a corner kick.

Korea added two more goals, Ri Kyong-im swinging in a free-kick into the left side of net, followed by an Imene Diyen own goal after goalkeeper Salma Assahl had spilled in front of her goal.

Korea DPR captain Ri Jin-a then got in on the act in the second stanza, lashing home a left-footed laser, before another Assahl fumble from a free-kick made for an easy tap-in for Yu. The North Africans pulled a late consolation goal when Maissane Ferkous turned in a rebound.

‘We were expecting to win’

“First of all, we passed the group stage. It was wonderful for us, it was a dream. We had not at all expected this match to turn out like that, of course. We were expecting to win. We gave it our all, we prepared well. The coach gave us good instructions,” Rahmoune told FIFA.com.

Korea DPR cruise into the Quarter-finals. 👊#U17WWC

— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) October 28, 2025

“We had everything to make it difficult for them. But I think it’s mostly mental fatigue. We have young players, I am one of the taller ones, and I was born at the end of the year.

“We have a 2011-born player, and the majority of the starting eleven are 2009s. They are little, they still have a lot to learn. And I am sure that next year, they will do much better, and they will make a big impact. Remember that.”

In another fixture, Nigeria also failed to go past the Round of 16 after losing 4-0 against Italy.

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