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Tag: Morocco

  • South African billionaire Motsepe elected new CAF President

    South African billionaire Motsepe elected new CAF President

    The 43rd General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday in Rabat, Morocco elected Patrice Motsepe as the new CAF President.

    Motsepe, who becomes the seventh person to occupy the position of CAF President, begins his four-year term after being elected unopposed by the Member Associations.

    Going to the General Assembly, Africa adopted a unity stance which saw the other three candidates, namely Augustin Senghor, Ahmed Yahya and Jacques Anouma, withdraw from the race to be President.

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was in attendance in Rabat in his remarks in the General Assembly commended the African Member Associations for the unity they have displayed in the last few weeks.

    The 59-year-old Motsepe is an accomplished South African businessman and philanthropist and no stranger to football.

    For almost two decades, he has been the President of a South African club, Mamelodi Sundowns.

  • 2020 CHAN: Morocco win second title after defeating Mali in final

    2020 CHAN: Morocco win second title after defeating Mali in final

    Morocco won the TOTAL African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the second time by overcoming Mali’s bold challenge 2-0 in a thrilling final at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde on Sunday night.

    Two second-half headers by Abdelmouna Boutouil and captain Ayoub El Kaabi sealed the victory for the Atlas Lions in the tournament in Cameroon to hand them the title.

    The Atlas Lions repeated the success on home soil three years ago by a margin that hardly looked possible as the Eagles stood toe-to-toe with the favourites for over an hour.

    Houcine Ammouta’s side became the first country to win a second successive title in the tournament, designed exclusively for home-based players.

    Mali also felt their luck deserted them, but ultimately Morocco ran out victorious to revive the memories of the 4-0 victory over Nigeria in the CHAN 2018 final in Casablanca.

    In one of the most exciting CHAN finals of the modern era, played out to a soundtrack of African drums, Mali and Morocco delivered an enthralling spectacle that brought delight to football enthusiasts in the continent over the quality on display.

    Little separated the two sides in a well-contested first 15 minutes which lacked attacking display before El Kaabi‘s header from a free-kick flashed across the face of the Mali goal.

    Mali goalkeeper Djugui Diarra partly saved a tricky free-kick taken by Soufiane Rahimi from the edge of the box before defender Yacouba Doumbia cleared the danger.

    The West Africans were not overawed by the situation and took advantage of the large space on the right side of the Atlas Lions defence vacated by the marauding Omar Namsaoui.

    The Eagles should have opened scoring when Mousaa Kone beat the Moroccan offside trap from the right side in the 23rd minute but goalkeeper Anas Zniti was quick off his mark to prevent the Stade Malien striker.

    Mali grew in confidence and moments later talented playmaker Demba Diallo broke free after dispossessing Namsaoui before firing over the bar from 20 yards as they continued to pile the pressure on the North Africans.

    Goalkeeper Diarra was called into action to confidently save a beautiful cross from Hafidi before a Diallo header in the 36th minute from a cross from the right went just wide.

    The Moroccans regained their control of the game but the central defensive pair of Doumbia and Barou Sanogo dealt effectively with their long aerial balls before the break.

    The Atlas Lions returned from the break and restarted the match in a similar fashion as they did at the start by piling the pressure on the Malians.

    Their calls for a penalty kick following a tackle on Rahimi in the box were subjected to a VAR review before the appeal was rejected.

    In the 56th minute, Issaka Samake sweetly taken free-kick met the head of Sadio Kanoute and the ball hit the upright to save the blushes of the North Africans.

    A long ball from midfield in the 63rd minute eluded both Morocco central defenders of Soufiane Bouftini and Abdelmouna Boutouil allowing striker Diallo to steal in and fire but goalkeeper Zniti produced another excellent save with his legs.

    Boutouil made amends six minutes later when he jumped highest to deliver a powerful header from Namsaoui’s corner kick from the right that beat goalkeeper Diarra to break the deadlock.

    The Moroccans extended their lead ten minutes later under similar circumstances when captain Ayoud El Kaabi dived to head in Mohammed Ali Bemammer’s header from a corner kick from the right to spark wild celebrations from the bench.

    There was enough time for hardworking defender Isssaka Samake to be sent off for his second yellow card of the match, sealing the fate of the Malians and sparking wild jubilations by the North Africans.

    Reacting to their win, Morocco coach, Houcine Ammouta, said: “First of all I will congratulate Mali and coach Diane Nouhoum for their run in the competition. Reaching the final is a feat. For us we came here with a changed team by 65% and a new staff. So it was about writing our own story and winning for ourselves. Today’s final was difficult but we did the essential, won and I believe we meritted victory plus the trophy”

    Nouhoum Diané, Mali coach, said: “We came to win our first trophy but faced a very good Morocco side, I believe they were the best team in the tournament. Today’s game was decided on little details, I want to congratulate coach Hussein. We return home and continue to work for the best in future,”

    Earlier on Saturday, Guinea finished third after beating hosts Cameroon 2-0 in the third-place play-off.

    The 2020 tournament, originally scheduled to be played from 4 to 25 April 2020, was rescheduled from 16 January to 7 February 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • FIFA reject ex-Spain forward switch to Morocco

    FIFA reject ex-Spain forward switch to Morocco

    Fifa have blocked the proposed nationality switch of former Spain international and Sevilla forward Munir El-Haddadi, who had hoped to make his international debut for Morocco during the current international window.

    According to a statement issued by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the player’s nationality switch has been blocked not because of his appearance with Spain’s senior time, but because of earlier outings with the U-21s when he was already 21.

    “This rejection is dictated by one of the clauses of the new [Fifa] statue concerning [Munir’s] participation in the under-21 category,” the statement began, “in particular during three matches with the Spanish U-21 selection when he was two months older.

    “The decision is not motivated by the participation of El-Haddadi in the Spanish A team.”

  • Coronavirus: Moroccan FA orders matches played without fans

    All football matches in Morocco will be played without fans from Thursday, the Moroccan football association (FRMF) said on Wednesday after the north African country reported its first coronavirus case.

    A 39-year-old Moroccan man coming from the northern Italian city of Bergamo was Morocco’s first registered case of coronavirus on Monday, the health ministry said.

    Morocco has cancelled an international agricultural fair, due to take place in April, along with many other cultural and sports events as authorities continue to implement precautionary measures at entry points and hospitals to prevent the spread of the virus.

  • Nigeria beat Morocco, win maiden Middle East Africa Rugby League

    Nigeria beat Morocco, win maiden Middle East Africa Rugby League

    Nigeria’s national rugby league team at the weekend won the inaugural Middle East Africa Rugby League by beating Morocco 38 to 16 in the final of the championship played at TBS Cricket Ground, Lagos.

    The championship, the first of its kind in Africa, featured four countries, including Ghana, Cameroun, Morocco and host Nigeria. Speaking after the game, Team Nigeria’s Captain, U.K.-based Sadiq Adebiyi, who won the Most Valuable Player of the Championship Award (MVP), said his team worked hard to achieve the result despite the short time they had to prepare for it.

    “The game was exciting, as we gave our best to achieve the result. Winning the inaugural Middle East Africa Championship means a lot to my teammates and me. It has set Nigeria on a big stage for the bigger level, which is the World Cup.“Having played with some Nigerian players since I arrived in the country, I see many talents in the game. I will not relent in giving them the much needed assistance to get to the highest level in their career,” he said.

    Team Nigeria Coach, Joe Mbu from Congo, congratulated his players for going the extra mile to win the championship. “I am a Congolese based in the United Kingdom and this is my first time working with the players.

    “I see prospect for Nigeria in the rugby league because the players have speed and skills that can withstand any team in the world.“My advice to the players is to continue watching more games on television and play more competitive matches to be more active,” he said.

    Also speaking at the event Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora and Foreign Relations to Lagos State Governor, Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, who represented the governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, commended the organisers for putting Nigeria in the world map of rugby league.

    “The governor of Lagos State congratulates the Nigerian team for winning the inaugural Middle East Africa League. His Excellency’s vision is to see that the league grows to attract more foreign sponsors and Nigerian players abroad to come home and help grow the sport. This will in turn reduce unemployment and attract more youths to rugby.

    “With the performance of the team, I believe Lagos State will keep assisting in any capacity to grow the sport. Lagos State is proud to be associated with the Nigeria Rugby League Association (NRLA),” he said.

    Nigeria Rugby League Association (NRLA) Chairman, Biodun Olawale Cole, promised that the association would do its best to host more competitions in the country. He added that the four overseas-based players invited for the championship gave a good account of themselves.

    Also speaking at the end of the championship, Rugby League International Federation President, Graeme Thompson, expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon become one of the best countries in rugby league in the nearest future.“Winning the championship has given Nigeria the chance to aspire to play at the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.

    “In the next world Cup coming up in England in 2021 Nigeria will not be there because the qualifiers have been concluded. They will be there as an emerging nation in the rugby league.“I see quality talents in Nigerian players base on my observations in the competition,” he disclosed.

  • Benin upset Morocco on penalties in huge Nations Cup shock

    Ten-man Benin rode their luck to eliminate heavily fancied Morocco on penalties in an extraordinary upset in the opening match of the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.

    Benin advanced to quarter-finals, after four successive draws, as they outscored Morocco 4-1 in the shootout after a 1-1 stalemate at the end of extra time in the last-16 tie.

    The small west African nation survived a last-gasp stoppage-time penalty missed by Morocco and an extra-time dismissal to create one of the tournament’s great upsets.

    Defender Moise Adilehou opened the scoring to give Benin a shock 53rd-minute lead before Youssef En-Nesyri equalised after 76 minutes.

  • 2019 AFCON: Morocco beat Ivory Coast to advance

    2019 AFCON: Morocco beat Ivory Coast to advance

    Morocco reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after beating Ivory Coast 1-0 on Friday to serve notice that they are one of the sides to beat at the tournament in Egypt.

    Youssef En-Nesyri’s 23rd-minute goal ensured a second win in Group D for Morocco, who move onto six points and join fellow heavyweights Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria with a 100 per cent record.

    The win came after a polished performance by the North African side, one of the pre-tournament favourites but whose only success in the continental championship came 43 years ago.

    The goal was brilliantly crafted by Noureddine Amrabat’s mazy run as he eliminated four players, before a short ‘no-look’ pass set up En-Nesyri for a left-footed finish.

  • Pope commends Morocco for accepting migrants

    Pope commends Morocco for accepting migrants

    Pope Francis has commended the people and government of Morocco for accepting and being hospitable to migrants.

    The Pope who was on a two day visit to Morocco gave the commendation at a grand reception organised for him at Esplanade Mausoleum in Rabat.

    The Pope assured migrants that the church was aware and shared in their sufferings.

    He urged governments to take concrete action to address the challenges that forced many people to flee their countries leaving their families behind.

    According to him, the issue of migration cannot be resolved by building high walls or denying assistance to those who legitimately aspire to a better life for themselves and their families.

    “This is because we know that true peace comes through the pursuit of social justice which indispensable for correcting the economic imbalances and political unrest that is causing conflicts and threatening the whole of humanity. ”

    Pope Francis also stressed the need for leaders to adopt dialogue in resolving religious conflicts and other crises in their countries.

    He said his visit was to further advance the need for inter-religious dialogue and mutual understanding.

    “If we wish to build a society that is open, fraternal and respectful of differences, it is vital to foster the culture of dialogue and adhere to it unfailingly.

    “We need to adopt mutual cooperation as our code of conduct and reciprocal understanding as our way of life.

    “We are called to pursue this path tirelessly in our effort to help each other overcome tensions and misunderstandings, cliches and stereotypes that penetrate fear and opposition,” the Pope said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Dec. 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires.

    He chose Francis as his Papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.

    The Pope was ordained priest in 1969, and became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.

    He was also the first Jesuit Pope and the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, the first visit and hold Papal Mass in the Arabian Peninsula and the first Pope form outside Europe.

    NAN reports that the UN said some 7,500 undocumented migrant children are enrolled in Morocco’s schooling system, according to a new report released by UNESCO.

    The Global Education Monitoring report for 2019, entitled: “Migration, displacement and education: Building Bridges, Not Walls”, found that a change in the law to accommodate immigrant children by lowering the standards of documentation required had resulted in thousands receiving access to education.

    According to UNESCO, Morocco’s 2011 constitution altered the Law No. 4, which had limited access to education to only Moroccan children, by stipulating that all minors in the country had a right to receive schooling.

    The study hailed the efforts of the Ministry of Education to open access to education for children from sub-Saharan African countries in 2013, but added that some document requirements are still somewhat “difficult to meet”.

  • Moroccan league set to introduce VAR

    The Moroccan top-flight league will use the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) starting next season

    President of the Royal Football Federation (Frmf), Faouzi Lakjaa has announced that the Morocco Botola Pro League will adopt video technology from next season to assist referees.

    This comes as VAR is also set to be used at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in June after being tried at the African Nations Championship (Chan) last year in Morocco.

    “I inform you that the Botola will not start next season without VAR, and those who are not qualified for this new technology will not practice in Morocco,” Lakjaa was quoted as saying by Aftik Foot .

    The use of VAR requires specific training and the Frmf has partnered with Fifa for the training of referees on the use of this officiating technology.

    VAR is yet to be widely adopted in Africa and was used during last season’s Caf Champions League final, first leg but still stirred controversy.

  • Morocco’s unemployment rate drops to 9.8%

    Morocco’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.8 per cent in 2018 from 10.2 per cent in 2017 with services topping job creating sectors, the planning agency said on Tuesday.

    The agency said in Rabat that the economy created 112,000 jobs last year, including 21,000 in rural areas, up from 86,000 jobs in 2017.

    It said that Services sector created 65,000 jobs, while construction and manufacturing offered 15,000 and 13,000 jobs, respectively.

    “Agriculture and fisheries created 19,000 jobs as Morocco experienced a good harvest for the second consecutive year after abundant rainfall,” it said in a statement.

    There were 1,168,000 unemployed people in 2018, 48,000 less than in 2017.

    Informal labour abounds in Morocco, making it hard to produce reliable employment figures.

    The planning agency expects Morocco’s economic growth to slow to 2.9 per cent in 2019 from 3 per cent in 2018.

    The government expects the economy to grow 3.2 per cent this year.

    Reuters/NAN