Morocco Mourns Former AS FAR, National Team Defender Mouhcine Bouhlal
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced his death, with Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa and the Executive Committee extending their condolences to Bouhlal's family and the broader Moroccan football community.
Football associations and fans across Morocco have shared tributes to Bouhlal, who was part of Morocco's Olympic team between 1990-1996.
Born on April 22, 1970, Bouhlal began his football career at Union Touarga before joining AS FAR (Royal Armed Forces) in the 1988-89 season, wearing the Rabat club's colors ever since.
During his tenure with AS FAR, he secured the Moroccan championship in 1989 and claimed the Throne Cup in the 1998-99 season. He also reached the Throne Cup finals three times, in 1990, 1996, and 1998.
Bouhlal represented Morocco's national team 38 times during the 1990s. His international career included appearances at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal, where he formed a notable defensive partnership with Noureddine Naybet.
He participated in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Mediterranean Games, and the qualifying campaigns for both the 1994 World Cup and the 1997 Africa Cup of Nations.
His military club career also saw him compete in the World Military Cup in 1989, 1994, and 1996. He featured in the CAF Cup in 1997 against Tunisia's Étoile du Sahel.
In recent months, Bouhlal underwent treatment at the Military Hospital in Rabat before his passing. During his playing career, he earned recognition for his defensive prowess, with fans nicknaming him 'Beckenbauer' after the German football legend.
After retiring as a player, Bouhlal transitioned into coaching, working within AS FAR's technical department across various age groups.
Read also: Former Moroccan International Abdelaziz Barrada Dies at 35 Tags: AS FARMouhcine BouhlalRoyal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Maroc
an hour ago
- Maroc
Hakimi Reflects on National Pride During AFCON with Morocco
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) international star and Atlas Lion, Achraf Hakimi, expressed his pride in playing for the Moroccan national team in various challenges. "Morocco called me up when I was at the Real Madrid academy. It's the country of my parents. I try to attend every call-up, to stay ready for everything, whenever the national team needs me," he said in an interview on Saturday with Canal+. "There are still many matches to come, and we're going to try to be ready for all of them. This is a dream moment. It's the first time Morocco will host an AFCON", he said. "It's also a goal for me to achieve great things with Morocco. We have the goal of winning this AFCON. It's a pressure we'll have to manage well, but we'll have to take responsibility," he added. The Moroccan and PSG right-back has been named, for the first time in his career, among the 30 nominees for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, which will be awarded on September 22. With PSG, he won the Champions League, the French league title, the French Cup, and the Trophée des Champions this year. He was also a finalist at the Club World Cup in the United States. (MAP: 10 August 2025)
Maroc
an hour ago
- Maroc
CHAN 2024: Moroccan National Team Loses 1-0 to Kenya
The Moroccan national team of local players lost 1-0 to their Kenyan counterpart in the third matchday of Group A in the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024), held this Sunday in Nairobi. The winning goal for Kenya was scored by Rambok Ryan Wesley Ogam in the 42nd minute. The Moroccan team, which was exempt from the second matchday, now has three points from two matches. The other match in this group will see Zambia face Angola. (MAP: 10 August 2025)
Ya Biladi
2 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan women's tennis team qualifies for Europe Africa Group II after Billie Jean King Cup triumph
DR Estimated read time: 1' The national women's tennis team has successfully secured a spot in the Europe/Africa Group II after the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, which took place from August 4 to 9, 2025, in Windhoek, Namibia. This remarkable achievement paves the way for the team to face high-caliber opponents in 2026. This promotion signifies Morocco's triumphant return to the continental elite, a feat achieved through meticulous preparation. The players sharpened their skills by competing in three ITF tournaments held in Morocco last July: the W15 Casablanca (ACSA), the W35 Casablanca (RUC), and the W35 Mohammedia (RTCMO). Comprising Yasmine Kabbaj, Malak El Allami, Diae El Jardi, and Manal Ennaciri, the Moroccan team delivered an impeccable performance at the Billie Jean King Cup. During the group stage, they dominated Namibia, Burundi, and Madagascar, securing 3-0 victories in each encounter. In the crucial match against Madagascar, Malak El Allami triumphed over Iariniaina Tsantaniony with a score of 6-2, 6-3, while Yasmine Kabbaj defeated Miotisoa Rasendra Andrianantenaina 6-1, 6-2. Morocco further demonstrated its prowess by overcoming the other two qualified teams, Botswana (3-0) and Kenya (2-1). This collective success, which guarantees their promotion to the Europe/Africa Group II, is a testament to the relentless efforts of the players and the coaching team, led by Mehdi Ait Barhouch, along with fitness coach Mohamed Rharbal and physiotherapist Hatim Jorio.
