Latest news with #AFCON2025
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Regragui Rejects Sweden Friendly to Focus on AFCON Prep
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has revealed that he turned down a proposed friendly against Sweden during the upcoming international break, insisting that preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil remains the priority. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Morocco's matches against Tunisia and Benin, Regragui confirmed the Swedish football federation had proposed a fixture to be held in Europe, but the offer was declined. 'We had an opportunity to face a European side. Sweden approached us but they wanted to host the match,' Regragui said. 'We're preparing for the AFCON at home. It's better to stick to the plan and play in our own conditions.' The Atlas Lions will instead remain in Morocco for both June fixtures, with Fes chosen as the host city, marking the national team's first appearance there in 16 years. 'Playing in Fes was my decision. The fans there haven't seen the national team in over a decade. It's time to give them that chance.' Upcoming Fixtures Morocco vs Tunisia – Friday, June 6 at 9 p.m. local time Morocco vs Benin – Monday, June 7 at 9.m. local time Both matches will take place at Stade de Fès as Morocco continues preparations for AFCON 2025. Tags: Atlas LionsMoroccoswedenWalid Regragui
Morocco World
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Seats Catch Fire in Moulay Abdellah Stadium Amid Renovation Ahead of 2025 AFCON
Rabat — Newly installed seats at the under-renovation Moulay Abdellah Stadium caught fire on Saturday afternoon in the upper section. As work is undergoing in the stadium ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the blaze destroyed about 250 fifth-generation seats. However, authorities have reported no injuries among construction workers at the site. Reports indicate that firefighters battled the flames for three hours before gaining control, as large columns of black smoke rose above the stadium, visible from over ten kilometers away. The seats, made from a polymer called polypropylene copolymer, fueled the fire's spread and intensity due to their flammable chemical composition. While no one suffered injuries, the incident raises serious questions about safety measures during construction, particularly regarding roof welding work suspected of starting the fire. Initial, unconfirmed findings suggest possible safety violations in managing this operation. The construction company has reportedly started assessing the damage and plans to immediately strengthen safety protocols. Read also: AFCON 2025: CAF Promises 'Special' Tournament in Morocco These adjustments will focus on critical construction phases related to the stadium's roof and finishing work, with just months remaining before the planned continental completion. This incident comes at a challenging time as the North African country is gearing up to host the most prestigious continental competition. The country has over 120 ongoing construction and renovation projects across six host cities. Stadium construction and rehabilitation works are currently taking place in the cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, and Agadir. An April meeting to assess the advancement of these projects concluded that they are reportedly on track to meet completion deadlines and ensure smooth hosting of AFCON 2025. Morocco is also working on developing other infrastructure to facilitate mobility, including urban initiatives to renovate roads, accessibility, signage, public lighting, pedestrian zones, and green spaces. Tags: AFCON 2025FootballMorocco AFCON 2025Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco's U20 Coach: Squad is Strong, Aims for AFCON Final
Rabat – Mohamed Ouahbi, the head coach of Morocco's U20 national team, said his squad's goal is to reach the AFCON final. 'We're very happy and proud to have won the [AFCON] quarterfinal and qualified for the World Cup,' Ouahbi said in a pre-match conference on Wednesday. 'Our goal is to reach the final. We're very happy and proud to have won the quarter-final and qualified for the World Cup,' he said, noting that the players are proud to return to the competition, 20 years after the team first took part in the global event. 'Mentally, I feel the group is strong. They're becoming aware that they've achieved something important,' the coach said. Morocco will face Egypt in the semi-finals on Thursday, with the Egyptian team having the advantage of playing at home. Morocco's Atlas Cubs have been hailed for their impressive victories throughout the competition and their determination to seal a ticket for the World Cup. But some fans have shared concerns about the Atlas Cubs needing more strength to defeat Egypt. 'We've shown some great things: solidarity, calmness, control, a lot of composure, and most importantly, efficiency in key moments,' he said, acknowledging that this is not enough. 'Our goal is to reach the final- and win it,' he said, noting that he feels the players are very relaxed. 'You saw all the games- we finished top of our group, and they didn't even celebrate. Mentally, I feel the group is strong.' But Ouahbi, knowing the strength of his opponent, spoke glowingly of the Egyptian squad even as he pledged his own team's determination to emerge as champions from this tournament. 'I remember a decisive match they played against Tunisia- they absolutely had to win. They got a red card in the first half but still managed to win. It's a team that never gives up,' Ouhabi said, noting that the same happened with Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Ghana. 'It's a great team with a strong mentality – they won't let go.' The Atlas cubs will face Egypt at 7 p.m. Moroccan time at the 30 June Stadium. Tags: 2023 AFCON2025 U17 AFCON
Morocco World
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
U20 Coach: Morocco Can Achieve ‘Great Things' in AFCON
Rabat – Head coach for Morocco's U20 national football team, Mohamed Ouahbi, is confident that his squad is able to achieve 'great things' during the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) taking place in Egypt. The Atlas Lions qualified to move on to the semi-final after a thrilling and dramatic win against Sierra Leone in the quarter-final game that took place on Monday. At the post-match press conference, Ouahbi said that his team will continue with the same momentum in the tournament, noting that reaching the final is the main goal. The win over Sierra Leone also booked a ticket for the team to the World Cup. He said that the victory over Sierra Leone is 'well deserved,' noting that he is satisfied with the players' performance. Ouahbi also commended Sierra Leone's team, describing them as a tough opponent. Now, the Moroccan team will face Egypt in the semi-finals, and Ouahbi assured that his players will give their all against the squad, which he described as an 'organized team with quality players.' Ilias Boumassaoudi, who clinched the man of the match during the game, said he was happy to experience such moments with Morocco's U20 national team. The players are determined to win against Egypt and continue their journey, he added. Sierra Leone's head coach, Mohamed Lamin Kamar, said that his objective against Morocco was to reach the end of regular plus extra time with a draw and then move to the penalty shootout to decide the winner. Despite the defeat, he saluted his players for their outstanding performance, emphasizing the importance of learning from Sierra Leone's first participation in the tournament. Morocco's semifinal game against Egypt will take place on Thursday at 7 p.m. Moroccan time. The semifinal round will also see South Africa facing Nigeria in a thrilling game, also scheduled for Thursday at 4 p.m. Moroccan time. Tags: 2023 AFCON2025 afcon
Morocco World
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco's U20 Team Coach Unfazed by Injuries, Eyes New AFCON Match Win
Rabat – Mohamed Ouahbi, the coach of Morocco's U20 national team, said there will be no problem in replacing players who are on the bench due to injuries ahead of a decisive game against Nigeria as part of AFCON 2025. On the eve of Morocco's second match against Nigeria, which will take place today at 7 p.m. today, the coach said that the team can compensate for the absence of injured Atlas Lions like Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal and Mohamed Yassir Zabiri. Ouahbi also said that all players are fully ready for the match, noting that the two injured players will be rested in preparation for other matches as part of the ongoing tournament. 'We will have no difficulty finding replacements for the injured players, and I'm reassured in that regard because we have good players capable of performing at any stage of this AFCON,' the coach said. Citing confidence, the coach stressed that the Atlas Lions are actively preparing for the game under these conditions, noting that Nigeria's style of play has been thoroughly analyzed. 'We know they're a tough, organized, and fast opponent, but we will focus on our own style of play,' he said. Houssam Essadak, a player in Morocco's national team, said the squad is ready for the game, recalling the good start under which the Atlas Lions kicked off the competition. 'The goal is to secure an early qualification for the quarterfinals,' he said. Ayman Erguigue, another Moroccan national player, said that Nigeria is a very competitive team, but the Moroccan players are determined to defend the national colors and move forward to secure another win. Tags: 2023 AFCONAfrican football
