“The rise of Morocco’s football deserves massive praise” – Agyemang Badu

Former Ghana midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has given positive reviews about the rise of Moroccan football in recent years.

Morocco’s senior men’s team, the Atlas Lions surpassed the quarter-final stage reached by Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana at the FIFA World Cup when they finished fourth at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

In April 2025, the juvenile team was crowned champions of the Africa U-17 tournament for the first time in their history after beating two time winners, Mali 4-2 on penalty shootouts following a goalless draw at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia.

Morocco’s U-20 defied all odds to lift their first ever World Youth Champions in October with a 2-0 win over Argentina, a record only previously held by Ghana since 2009.

Agyemang Badu, who scored the last penalty kick for Ghana to beat Brazil 4-3 in the finals of the 2009 FIFA World U-20 tournament in Egypt, believes that Morocco deserves praise for their massive investment in football.

Morocco equaled the record previously held by Ghana

“I was not surprised because I was able to watch some of their matches and the rise of Moroccan football is remarkable in talent development and strategic investment,” Agyemang Badu told Radio Gold.

“They did this through dedicated academies, youth leagues and they’ve improved the scouting systems and they also improved infrastructure and coaching.

“So if they can put all these things in order and they have waited long for this time, I think the accolades they are receiving now we need to give it to them [because] they are a nation every African country has to learn from, patience is key.

Morocco joins Ghana as the only African nations to have clinched the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

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