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Tag: Morocco

  • NFF commiserates with Morocco over earthquake tragedy

    NFF commiserates with Morocco over earthquake tragedy

    The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow and grief at the death of over 1,000 people in an earthquake that occurred in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco in the early hours of Saturday, 9th September 2023.

     

    Reports indicate that more than 1,000 persons had been confirmed dead while hundreds more were injured from the impact of the magnitude 7.2 quake that damaged buildings in the picturesque city of Marrakech. The quake was the deadliest in the North African country in six decades.

     

    “This is a very difficult period for the people of Morocco. We deeply mourn with them on this devastating earthquake, and we pray that Almighty God will comfort those who have lost loved ones and also grant the souls of the dead eternal rest.

     

    “The NFF and the Nigeria Football fraternity are shocked beyond words at the carnage to human lives and infrastructure. Our hearts are with the people of that country, and we commiserate with not only the Football fraternity but the generality of the Moroccan population on this tragedy,” President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said in Uyo on Saturday.

     

    The Confederation of African Football has instructed Member Associations to observe one-minute silence in honour of the victims of the earthquake in Morocco at all matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series taking place this weekend across the continent.  

  • AFCON Qualifiers: CAF postpones Morocco vs Liberia clash after devastating earthquake

    AFCON Qualifiers: CAF postpones Morocco vs Liberia clash after devastating earthquake

    The Atlas Lions of Morocco last AFCON qualifying match against Liberia has been postponed following an earthquake in the North African country.

    Over 1000 people have been confirmed dead so far, following the 6.8 magnitude quake that happened near Marrakech on Friday night, with hundreds left injured.

    The match was billed to take place in Agadir city before it was postponed.

    The decision to move the game was confirmed via a statement released on the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s official website.

    It reads: “Following the earthquake that affected some regions in Morocco, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces the postponement of the match that was to take place on Saturday evening, September 9, 2023, between the national team and its Liberian counterpart, in the final round of the qualifiers for the 2024 African Cup of Nations – Côte d’Ivoire; Until a later time, in agreement with the Confederation of African Football.

    “After this great injury, the national football family extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to all the injured.”

  • Earthquake: Nigeria’s president, Tinubu commiserate with Moroccans

    Earthquake: Nigeria’s president, Tinubu commiserate with Moroccans

    Nigeria’s President,  Bola Ahmed  Tinubu has commiserated with Moroccans over the devastating earthquake that struck the North African country on Friday night.

    The earthquake caused the death of over 800 people while hundres of people   hospitalized after suffering varying degrees of Injuries.

    The 6.8-magnitude earthquake has been described as the most devastating in many years in the history of the country.

    Reacting, President Tinubu in a statement posted on his X official account on Saturday, described the incident as unfortunate.

    The president assured Moroccans that the heartfelt prayers and thoughts of Nigerians are with them at the difficult moment.

    The post reads, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to King Mohammed VI of #Morocco following Saturday’s devastating earthquake in his homeland, which claimed many lives.

    “I commiserate with all families who lost loved ones and all those otherwise affected by this tragedy, while wishing a full and swift recovery to those who were injured.

    “I assure the government and people of Morocco that the heartfelt prayers and thoughts of Nigerians are with them during this difficult moment of tragedy.

    “In the face of this adversity, Nigeria will continue to stand in solidarity with Morocco as they recover, rebuild, and come out stronger than ever from this unfortunate even

  • Watch moment magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Morocco

    Watch moment magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Morocco

    A video footage has captured the moment a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Morocco killing hundreds of people and destroying buildings, forcing terrified residents onto the streets

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com reported that a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco Friday night, killing more than 600 people and damaging buildings in the historic city of Marrakech in what the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African nation in more than a century.

    Watch:

     

     

  • Over 1000 persons killed as powerful earthquake strikes Morocco

    Over 1000 persons killed as powerful earthquake strikes Morocco

    A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco Friday night, killing more than 1000 people and damaging buildings in the historic city of Marrakech in what the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African nation in more than a century.

    The quake struck in Morocco’s High Atlas mountain range shortly after 11 p.m. local time at the relatively shallow depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.4 miles), USGS said, with the epicenter located about 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) southwest of Marrakech, a city of some 840,000 people and a popular tourist destination.

    We felt a very violent tremor, and I realised it was an earthquake,” Abdelhak El Amrani, a 33-year-old in Marrakesh, told AFP by telephone.

    “I could see buildings moving. We don’t necessarily have the reflexes for this type of situation. Then I went outside and there were a lot of people there. People were all in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were distraught.”

    “The power went out for 10 minutes, and so did the (telephone) network, but then it came back on,” he added. “Everyone decided to stay outside.”

    Updated interior ministry figures on Saturday showed the quake killed 632 people, more than half of them in Al-Haouz and Taroudant provinces. The ministry also recorded deaths in Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal and Youssoufia provinces, as well as in Marrakesh, Agadir, and the Casablanca area.

    Another 329 people were injured, including 51 in a critical condition, the ministry said.

    The epicentre was said to be in the Ighil area, about 40 miles (70km) south of Marrakech.

    The tremor had an initial 6.8 magnitude when it hit at 11.11pm local time, with shaking that lasted several seconds. Morocco’s National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network, however, said the earthqauke struck at a magnitude of 7.2.

    Videos have emerged of several buildings being reduced to rubble and have left parts of the famous red walls in Marrakech damaged.

    Some buildings in Marrakech’s Old City, a Unesco World Heritage site, with photos of smashed cars and rubble emerging.

    The National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network in Morocco has noted that High Atlas mountains are the epicentre of quakes in the country.

    In 1960, an earthquake in the country had led to the deaths of thousands of people.

  • 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Morocco set two records in Australia

    2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Morocco set two records in Australia

    The Morocco senior female football team has made history as the first North African side to win at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating South Korea by 1-0 on Sunday in far away Australia.

    Moreso, Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab during a Women’s World Cup game when she spotted the Muslim headscarf in Morocco’s match against South Korea.

    Recall that World governing body FIFA lifted its ban on footballers wearing the hijab nearly a decade ago, after previous concerns over player safety.

    The 25-year-old defender Benzina, who plays her club football in Morocco, ran out against South Korea in Adelaide to write her name in the history books.

    Benzina shared social media posts in the lead-up to the World Cup about wearing a hijab, but has not spoken to the media in Australia and New Zealand about it.

    While featuring on a sport show on Al Jazeera. Benzina said it will be a proud moment to wear hijab whilst playing for her country.

    “Lots of work was done over many years, and thank God it had a positive result,” she said.

    “We hope to play at a high level and honour Moroccans.”

    Several other sports have lifted hijab bans in recent years including basketball, but it is still not allowed during official football matches in France.

    The Moroccan women, coached by Frenchman Reynald Pedros, are at their first Women’s World Cup on the back of a historic runners-up finish at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

    Morocco lost its first game of the competition after being thrashed 6-0 by Germany in Brisbane, but Benzina watched from the bench.

     

     

  • U-23 AFCON: Host Morocco defeat Egypt 2-1 to emerge champions

    U-23 AFCON: Host Morocco defeat Egypt 2-1 to emerge champions

    Host Morocco on Saturday defeated defending Champions Egypt to win the 2023 U-23 AFCON for the first time in their history.

    The North African country became only the fourth nation to lift the trophy since the football tournament was launched in 2011.

    Recall that Morocco hosted the inaugural tournament and finished runners-up losing to Gabon 2-1 in Marrakech.

    Egypt drew the first blood courtesy of a Mahmoud Saber Abdelmohsen Hassan goal 10 minutes into the match giving his team the lead.

    The defending champions were soon reduced to 10 men when Hassan got the marching orders, few minutes after scoring the first goal of the encounter.

    Egypt did well to hold on to their advantage despite being a man down, but the home equalized in the 37th minute when Yanis Begraoui found the back of the net. The stalemate held until the end of regulation time, sending the match into extra time.

    Moroccan midfielder Oussama Targhalline found the breakthrough scoring the deciding goal from a free kick with the hosts hoisting the trophy.

    Three teams have qualified to represent Africa as the   quadrennial football showpiece also served as the Olympic qualifier.

    Morocco, Egypt and Mali will represent the continent at next year showpiece in Paris.

    Mali finished in 3rd position after defeating  Guinea 4-3 in a penalty shootout to clinch the bronze medal.

    However, fourth placed Guinea will go through play-offs with another country in Asia for a place for Africa’s last representative at the football competition of the Olympic games in 2024.

     

     

     

  • CAF U-23 AFCON: Morocco, Egypt reach final, grab Olympic ticket

    CAF U-23 AFCON: Morocco, Egypt reach final, grab Olympic ticket

    North African teams, Morocco and Egypt have both sealed their places at next year’s football event of the Paris Olympic Games.

    Both teams secured qualification after defeating two West African teams, Guinea and Mali respectively at the ongoing CAF U-23 AFCON holding in Morocco.

    While Egypt are making a back-to-back appearance in the final, it is Morocco’s first since the 2011 edition.

    In the first semi-final Egypt edged Guinea 1-0 while Morocco pipped Mali 4-3 on penalties after regulation time ended 2-2.

    The final slot to Africa will go to the winner of the third place match between Mali and Guinea, while the team that finish fourth will play the AFC–CAF playoff to decide the final Olympic slot.
    The 2023 U-23 AFCON is the 4th edition of the quadrennial African football tournament organized by CAF.

    Morocco were the first to host the competition when it was inaugurated in 2011.

  • U23 AFCON: How Morocco, Ghana recorded fascinating wins in group A opener

    U23 AFCON: How Morocco, Ghana recorded fascinating wins in group A opener

    Host Morocco came from a goal deficit to defeat Guinea 2-1 In the opening game of  the  U23 AFCON which kicked off on Saturday 24th of June in Morocco.

    Guinea had the best chances in the first half. And it was only logical that the Guineans should open the scoring in the dying moments of the 1st half. Algassime Bah (45+2) punished the Moroccans. The Moroccans had not managed a single shot in the first half. Too few to worry the Guineans.

    However, the first shot hit the target. Morocco equalised with their first shot of the game when Ez Abde won a penalty (1-1, 68′). From then on, the chances kept coming for the Atlas Cubs. It paid off when Abde doubled the lead from the penalty spot (90+7). Guinea thought they had equalised but Oularé’s goal (90+10) was disallowed.

    Similarly, the Ghanaians U23 side defeated Congo DR 3-2 to go joint top of group A with Morocco.

    Ibrahim Tanko put forward his best foot by naming a strong line-up that had Ibrahim Danlad, Emmanuel Essiam, Fatawu Issahaku, Daniel Afriyieh Barnieh and Nuamah.

    Congo got more comfortable as the minutes ticked and tested Danlad twice after creating the better openings as the first half ended goalless.

    Tanko’s early changes in the second half, though, proved to be a masterstroke, with Yeboah, who replaced Barnieh, immediately setting up Nuamah for the opening goal.

    In a captivating  encounter in Rabat, the Black Meteors of Ghana emerged victorious, although they faced nail-biting moments in the dying minutes when Congo mounted an impressive comeback from a 3-0 deficit to score two late goals.

    Ghana will return to action on Tuesday with a crucial Group A clash against hosts Morocco, while Congo Brazzaville will also take on Guinea in the day’s second match.

    The first three countries will represent Africa at the 2024 Olympic games in Paris France.

  • Under 17 AFCON: Golden Eaglets walk tight rope after losing to Morocco

    Under 17 AFCON: Golden Eaglets walk tight rope after losing to Morocco

    Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets on Wednesday in Constantine lost 0-1 for Morocco to earn all three points and sail into the quarter-finals of the Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations.

    The Golden Eaglets wasted a basketful of opportunities in a match they dominated for large periods in the Algerian city.

    An own goal by Tochukwu Ogboji as early as the second minute was all the Moroccans, who beat South Africa’s Amajimbo 2-0 on the opening day, needed.

    They are now within a step of booking a spot at this year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup, in spite of having their last group match against Zambia and then the quarter-finals.

    As it was in their opening match against Zambia, the Eaglets created chance after chance but pathetically lacked precision in front of goal.

    Abubakar Abdullahi should have done better than sending the ball skywards after Emmanuel Michael put him through in the 21st minute.

    Team captain Precious Williams also failed to make hay as the North Africans mounted an impregnable rearguard.

    Defender Yahaya Lawali, who was again picked as Man-of-the-Match in spite of Nigeria’s loss, shot towards the sky with a through ball in the 69th minute.

    Substitutes Light Eke and Adewale Quadri provided the only real tests for the Moroccan goalkeeper in a frantic second period.

    The Eaglets will now face South Africa on Saturday, needing victory in order to be assured of qualification to the last eight.

    However, failure to win on Saturday may not end it all for them.

    A good group phase statistics can help them emerge as one of the two third-place finishers who will join in the quarter-finals.