New Leadership for Morocco's Youth National Teams
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has officially appointed Ludovic Batelli and Tarik Sektioui to lead the U20 and U23 national teams, respectively. This decision comes on the heels of Mohamed Ouahbi's promotion to the senior national team, creating a pivotal shift in the coaching structure of Morocco's youth football programs. Sektioui, who previously achieved remarkable success with the U23 team by securing a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games—the first Olympic medal for Morocco in team sports—returns to a familiar role. His prior successes include guiding the Moroccan A' team through an impressive 2025 campaign, which saw victories in both the African Nations Championship and the Arab Cup.
As he steps back into the U23 role, Sektioui's immediate focus will be on preparing the team for the upcoming U23 Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, which serves as a qualifying tournament for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. His experience and prior achievements with the squad make him a strong candidate to nurture the next generation of Moroccan talent.
Batelli's Vision for the U20 Team
On the other hand, Ludovic Batelli takes the helm of the U20 national team, bringing a wealth of experience in youth development. Batelli previously led France's U19 team to victory in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2016, showcasing his capability to cultivate young talent at the highest levels. He steps into this role with high expectations, following the historic achievements of his predecessor, Ouahbi, who led Morocco to its first world title across all age categories.
Prior to his new appointment, Batelli had been without a club since September 2025 after leaving his position as technical director at Club Africain in Tunisia. His extensive career also includes significant roles in Algeria and Ivory Coast, where he served as a youth coordinator and national technical director, respectively. The appointments of Batelli and Sektioui mark a strategic move by the Moroccan Football Federation to enhance the development pathways for young players and build on the successes of the past few years.
As reported by africasoccer.com.
