Morocco Finish Season With Narrow Win Over Benin – But Performance Raises Eyebrows
The match followed a familiar script. Just like against Tunisia, Morocco struggled to break down a low defensive block. Benin were organised and cautious, content to sit deep and frustrate the hosts. Morocco, after fielding a much-changed side, failed to find rhythm or urgency for large spells of the game.
Walid Regragui handed minutes to several fringe players, including Zakaria El Ouahdi and Osama Sahraoui, while Soufiane Rahimi partnered El Kaabi up front.
But the changes didn't quite click. The midfield lacked drive, the wings were quiet, and there was little in the way of quick, decisive build-up.
El Kaabi, however, made his moment count. On the stroke of half-time, he connected with a long ball from Adam Masina inside the box and finished with a spectacular bicycle kick. It was the highlight of the match. Ayoub El Kaabi scored the first goal for Morocco with a spectacular bicycle kick.
Regragui tried to liven things up in the second half by bringing on Bilal El Khannouss and Osama Targhalline, but the pace never really picked up. Hakimi also came on late in the game, but the crowd in Fez, who had packed the stadium for a second time in a week, were left wanting more.
Despite the lacklustre display, the win was Morocco's 12th in a row under Regragui – a new record. But the coach knows there's work to do.
Speaking after the match, Regragui said: 'It's never easy to make lots of changes and expect full chemistry. We saw that the understanding between players wasn't at the usual level. But these friendlies are for testing things. We tried out new players and new combinations. What matters is the win.'
Asked about criticism over his methods and persona, he joked: 'In September, I might show up with a hair transplant and clean shave, and pretend I'm a new coach. Then we'll win the Africa Cup.' Walid Regragui says that squad changes impacted the rhythm of the game.
Striker Youssef En-Nesyri praised the squad's effort: 'The match was tough, but the win gives us confidence. We respect every opponent and take every game seriously. These matches help us grow.'
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou added: 'It's always hard at the end of the season. The players are exhausted, so it's normal that we're not at our best. But we got the result, and that's what counts.'
Morocco now shift focus to the World Cup qualifiers next September. Regragui will hope to have a full house on the next international break after missing some key names during the last two friendlies, including Brahim Diaz, Abde Ezzalzouli, Nayef Aguerd, and Roman Saiss. Tags: Achraf HakimiAtlas LionsBeninBrahim DiazMoroccoTunisiaWalid Regragui
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Raja Partners with Marsa Maroc, Transforms into Raja SA Sports Company
Marrakech – Raja Club Athletic has officially entered a new era of management by signing a landmark partnership with Marsa Maroc on Saturday. The ceremony, held at Raja's academy in Bouskoura, marked the historic transformation of the Casablanca club into a sports company, 'Raja SA,' created in 2019 but inactive until today. The partnership comes in compliance with Law 30-09 on the transformation of clubs into sports companies. Marsa Maroc, through its CSR association Ports4Impact, will acquire a 60% stake in Raja SA with an investment of MAD 150 million ($15 million) spread over three years. The Raja association will retain 40% by transferring assets worth MAD 100 million ($10 million), including brand rights and player contracts. The total valuation of the club reaches MAD 510 million ($51 million), with only MAD 100 million ($10 million) being transferred to the company. Though valued as part of this arrangement, the academy will remain the property of the association under a usage agreement. Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), attended the signing ceremony alongside Abdessalam Belkachour, President of the National Professional Football League, and representatives from both Raja and Marsa Maroc. During his speech, Lekjaa called Raja 'a global club in every sense of the word' and expressed joy at being present at the Raja academy, which he described as 'a landmark that adds to this club and its pride.' He stressed that Raja, along with Wydad and AS FAR, represent the locomotive of national football, saying: 'The national football will not be well unless this trio is well.' Lekjaa also mentioned FIFA President Gianni Infantino's recent statement that Morocco has become a destination for world football. He pointed out that by hosting major events such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup, Morocco will be under global evaluation. Lekjaa also praised Raja's transition to the sports company system, which he believes will open new paths and opportunities for the team. He wished Raja success in returning strongly to compete for national and continental titles. According to the agreement, Ports4Impact will focus exclusively on areas where Marsa Maroc has proven expertise and can add real value to the club in terms of governance and management rules. As the majority shareholder, Ports4Impact will appoint the President of Raja SA, who will oversee activities related to the management and institutional development of the club. A qualitative shift in Raja's path Marsa Maroc clarified in its statement that 'this operation is not part of a financial profitability logic.' Instead, it aims to support the restructuring of Raja and contribute to preserving a major part of the national sports heritage. The company pledged that if any profits or dividends are generated in the future, Ports4Impact will reinvest them entirely in the club to support its sustainable development. The sports governance aspect will remain fully under the Raja association, which will continue to ensure strategic and operational management through its own governing bodies. Jawad Ziyat, who was elected Raja president last month, spoke at the ceremony and confirmed the importance of this partnership, describing it as strategic and significant in Raja's history. He gave special thanks to Fouzi Lekjaa for standing by the club to activate the partnership and investment agreement with Marsa Maroc, and for helping the club resolve its tax problems that date back more than 18 years. This initiative represents a qualitative shift in Raja's path, enabling the club to improve its financial and organizational status, contributing to its sustained success both locally and internationally. Read also: Raja Club Athletic Name New Sporting Director Tags: Marsa MarocRaja Athletic Club
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
FIFA unveils referees and innovative video support for U17 Women's World Cup in Morocco
The FIFA Referees Committee on Thursday announced the list of match officials selected for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025, scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 8. According to a statement from FIFA, the tournament will feature 54 referees in total—18 main referees and 36 assistant referees—representing 36 member associations. Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, noted that the World Cup offers a valuable opportunity for both players and referees to gain experience, sharpen their skills, and advance in their careers, ultimately contributing to the growth of the game. This tournament will be especially notable for the introduction of Football Video Support (FVS), following successful trials last year at the U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia and the U-17 tournament in the Dominican Republic. FIFA explained that the initiative responds to growing demand from member associations for a more accessible and cost-effective technological tool to assist referees. Unlike the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, FVS does not rely on dedicated video referees and does not automatically review every potentially game-changing incident. Instead, the responsibility lies with coaches, who are allowed a limited number of review requests per match if they believe a significant error has occurred during key moments, such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, or cases of mistaken identity. Players are also permitted to recommend that their coach request a review.
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
FIFA unveils referees and innovative video support for U17 Women's World Cup in Morocco
Estimated read time: 1' The FIFA Referees Committee on Thursday announced the list of match officials selected for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025, scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 8. According to a statement from FIFA, the tournament will feature 54 referees in total—18 main referees and 36 assistant referees—representing 36 member associations. Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, noted that the World Cup offers a valuable opportunity for both players and referees to gain experience, sharpen their skills, and advance in their careers, ultimately contributing to the growth of the game. This tournament will be especially notable for the introduction of Football Video Support (FVS), following successful trials last year at the U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia and the U-17 tournament in the Dominican Republic. FIFA explained that the initiative responds to growing demand from member associations for a more accessible and cost-effective technological tool to assist referees. Unlike the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, FVS does not rely on dedicated video referees and does not automatically review every potentially game-changing incident. Instead, the responsibility lies with coaches, who are allowed a limited number of review requests per match if they believe a significant error has occurred during key moments, such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, or cases of mistaken identity.
