Morocco's Under 18 handball team knocked out hosts Ivory Coast 30-27 in Abidjan, earning a place in the semi finals of the African Under 18 Handball Championship. The win ends the home side's run and puts Morocco one step closer to a spot at the World Championship. According to the International Handball Federation (IHF), Morocco will now face Egypt in the semi finals after coming through a tough playoff bracket.
Morocco reached the knockout stage after topping Group C with wins over Rwanda (33-26) and Libya (32-25). Their group had just three teams, and Morocco's perfect record sent them straight to the quarter finals, where they met the hosts.
The 22nd African Men's Youth Handball Championship in Abidjan brought together 14 national teams from across the continent between 15 and 22 September 2026.
Idriss El Hamoumi, 18, was named best player of the match for the second time in the tournament, repeating his strong performance from the group stage against Libya. His steady play has been key to Morocco's progress so far.
This semi final spot also keeps Morocco in the running for a place at the 2027 Under 19 World Handball Championship. The Abidjan tournament, which runs until 22 September, serves as a qualifier for the world event, with five African teams set to advance. The IHF calls this competition a showcase for the "next generation of African handball talent" and the official route to the world stage.
Morocco's win over the hosts in a high-pressure quarter final shows the strength of their youth program. The Atlas Cubs remain unbeaten and have backed up their group stage results with another solid performance. As the tournament moves into its final rounds, Morocco's mix of individual skill and team discipline keeps them in the hunt for both continental and world qualification.
Ivory Coast, the tournament hosts, had previously secured their own playoff spot by defeating Burundi 32-30 in the group stage, highlighting the competitive nature of the event. The African zone has been allocated five qualification places for the 2027 IHF Men's Youth World Championship, making every knockout match in Abidjan crucial for teams with global ambitions.
