Tuesday 21 January 2025

Tuesday 21 January 2025

Moroccan Football Success, Fruit of Joint Effort (Morocco’s Coach)

Marrakech – The success of Moroccan football is the fruit of a joint effort, Morocco’s national team coach Walid Regragui said Monday in Marrakech.

All members of the national team endeavor to promote Moroccan football, Regragui underlined at a speech after winning the award of the best African coach of the year, during the 2023 CAF Awards ceremony, held Monday evening at the Congress Palace.

On this occasion, the national coach extended his thanks to HM King Mohammed VI for his continued support, as well as to President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa.

He also stressed that during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the national team represented the entire African continent.

“I think this award also goes to the other nominees who are doing a great job,” he added.

Morocco is hosting, for the 2nd consecutive year the CAF Awards, which celebrate the excellence of African football, after the 2022 edition held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora.

MAP

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Morocco finishes the year 2024 ranked 14th in the world in the FIFA rankings, published on Thursday, unchanged from November.

The Atlas Lions remain the top team in Africa with 1,688.18 points, ahead of Senegal, which holds 17th place globally with 1,637.25 points.

The national football team also retains its position as the top team in the Arab world. Egypt is in second place (33rd globally) with 1,513.48 points.

Globally, there are few changes to report in the final World Rankings of the year. Argentina remains in first place, followed by France and Spain.

Angola, which played the most matches in 2024 (21), can boast of achieving the best progress of the year, climbing 32 places to 85th compared to 2023.

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabet feature in the men’s Africa Best XI of the year 2024 unveiled at the CAF Awards ceremony in Marrakech on Monday.

André Onana, Kalidou Koulibaly, Chancel Mbemba, Yves Bissouma, Franck Kessié, Mohammed Kudus, Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman complete the African Team of the Year.

Atlas Lioness Ghizlane Chebbak is in the Women’s XI of the Year, which also includes Andile Dlamini, Michelle Alozie, Karabo Dhlamini, Osinachi Ohale, Lebohang Ramalepe, Linda Motlhalo, Rasheedat Ajibade, Barbara Banda, Asisat Oshoala and Tabitha Chawinga.

Moroccan internationals, Yassine Bouno, Achraf Hakimi and Soufiane Rahimi have been shortlisted for the “The Best FIFA Men’s XI” award, the world soccer’s governing body announced on its official website on Friday.

Yassine Bouno was crowned Saudi Arabian champion with Al-Hilal, Achraf Hakimi won the French championship with Paris Saint-Germain, while Soufiane Rahimi won the Asian Champions League with Al-Aïn, where he was top scorer.

Hakimi and Rahimi also won bronze medals with the national team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Other African players in contention for a place in the FIFA XI include Gabonese and Nigerian strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ademola Lookman, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s XI awards recognize the world’s best players in their respective positions, nominating players on the basis of their performances between August 21, 2023 and August 10, 2024.