Latest news with #AhmedFaras
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Little Dutch delight for Kaizer Chiefs
Grey clouds and rain proved an appropriate backdrop for South African club Kaizer Chiefs as they completed a disappointing pre-season tour of the Netherlands by losing 2-1 to FC Twente. In other football news, African club champions Pyramids have lost ace forward Ibrahim Adel and former Morocco star Ahmed Faras has died aged 78. South Africa Kaizer Chiefs, winners of a record 53 domestic trophies in South Africa, triumphed in only one of five friendly matches on a pre-season of the Netherlands. The Johannesburg outfit beat PEC Zwolle 1-0 but lost to Vitesse (2-1), Utrecht (4-0), NEC Nijmegen (1-0) and FC Twente. Chiefs hired Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi last season and he ended a 10-year trophy drought by winning the South African FA Cup, but they finished a disappointing ninth in the 16-club Premiership. Egypt Ibrahim Adel, whose six goals help Pyramids become surprise winners of the 2024/25 CAF Champions League in only their second appearance, is moving to United Arab Emirates club Al Jazira. The 24-year-old missed the first leg of the final against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa through injury, but recovered to come off the bench in the return match. Another Pyramids star, Democratic Republic of Congo-born forward Fiston Mayele, has returned to the Cairo club after a proposed move to Saudi Arabian club Al Fateh failed to materialise. Morocco Ahmed Faras, who captained Morocco to their lone Africa Cup of Nations title in 1976, has died aged 78 after a long illness, the national football federation announced. The forward scored 36 goals in 94 appearances for the national team and in 1975 became the first Moroccan to be voted African Player of the Year. Faras spent his entire 18-year club career with Mohammedia, helping them win the league, the national cup twice and the super cup. Sudan Record 30-time champions Al Hilal slipped one place to second in the Sudan Elite League play-offs after drawing 3-3 with Al Wadi Nyala on matchday five. Arch rivals Al Merrikh took over top spot by winning 2-1 against Al Mergani Kassala to boost chances of a top-two finish and qualification for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League. The play-offs are being staged in the military-controlled northeast of a country where an ongoing civil war, which began in April 2023, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Guinea French coach Hubert Velud is among the contenders to replace compatriot Michel Dussuyer as coach of struggling Guinea. Velud, 66, left Moroccan club FAR Rabat this year after a bizarre accident. Jumping to celebrate sealing a Champions League last-eight place, he fell awkwardly, was injured and could not work. Despite being able to call on star Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy, Guinea failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and lie fifth in a 2026 World Cup qualifying group. bur-str-dl/ea
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
FIFA and CAF mourn the passing of Moroccan football legend Ahmed Faras
Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), expressed his «deep sorrow» upon learning of the passing of Ahmed Faras, Moroccan football icon and winner of the 1975 African Ballon d'Or. In a post on his official Instagram account, Infantino paid tribute to the historic top scorer of the Moroccan national team and captain of the squad that won the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations. «I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Moroccan player Ahmed Faras», he wrote. On behalf of FIFA and the entire footballing community, «I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family and friends, to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, and to everyone at CAF. Rest in peace». Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), also expressed his condolences, describing Faras as «an exceptional leader both on and off the field». In a statement published on CAF's official website, Motsepe recalled that Faras was one of Africa's brightest football stars, named the continent's best player in 1975 and a central figure in Morocco's historic Africa Cup of Nations victory in 1976. «Ahmed Faras was an outstanding leader whose contributions to football in Morocco and across Africa helped pave the way for the global success we now see from Moroccan and African players», Motsepe said. He offered his heartfelt sympathies and support to «the family of the deceased, his former teammates, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, its president Fouzi Lekjaa, and the Moroccan people. Ahmed Faras will forever live in our hearts and memories. May God bless him and grant him eternal peace».
CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe Conveys Condolences on the Passing of Moroccan and African Football Legend Ahmed Faras
Published: Thursday, 17 July 2025 The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football ('CAF'), Dr Patrice Motsepe, expressed his deep condolences and the condolences of the 54 CAF Member Associations to the family of the late Ahmed Faras, former Captain of the Morocco National Football Team, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football ('FRMF') and the entire Moroccan football community. Ahmed Faras, the former Captain of Morocco National Team, won the CAF African Player of the Year in 1975. He led Morocco to their historic triumph at the 1976 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Dr Patrice Motsepe said: 'Ahmed Faras was an outstanding leader both on and off the field. His contributions to football in Morocco and on the African Continent laid the foundation for the current globally respected Moroccan and African Football players. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, teammates, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football and its President Fouzi Lekjaa, and the people of Morocco. Ahmed Faras will forever live in our hearts and minds. May his Soul Rest in Peace.' Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
Ya Biladi
6 days ago
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
King Mohammed VI sends condolences to the family of Ahmed Faras
King Mohammed VI has sent a message of condolences and sympathy to the family of the late Ahmed Faras. In the message, the monarch expressed his deep emotion and sorrow upon learning of the passing of the former international footballer. In this painful moment, the King extended his heartfelt condolences and sincere compassion to all members of Ahmed Faras's family, his loved ones, friends, admirers, and, through them, to the national sports community, particularly the Chabab Mohammedia football club. The King praised Ahmed Faras as one of the legendary figures of Moroccan football and the national team's all-time top scorer. Thanks to his exceptional talent, Faras helped elevate Moroccan football on both the continental and international stages during the 1960s and 1970s. The monarch also recalled that Faras was the first Moroccan player to win the African Ballon d'Or in 1975 and played a pivotal role in Morocco's historic Africa Cup of Nations victory in 1976. King Mohammed VI said he shares in the family's grief following this profound loss, acknowledging the divine will, while honoring the late athlete's noble character, patriotism, and dedication to representing Morocco, qualities that made him a role model for future generations.
CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
CAF conveys Condolences to the family of Moroccan Football Legend Ahmed Faras
Published: Thursday, 17 July 2025 The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football ('CAF') is saddened by the passing of Moroccan football legend Ahmed Faras. CAF conveys condolences to Ahmed Faras family and the Moroccan football community. Ahmed Faras, the former captain of the Morocco national team who led the Atlas Lions to their historic triumph at the 1976 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, passed away on Wednesday. He was awarded CAF African Footballer of the Year in 1975 and is regarded as one of the greatest African strikers of all time. Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
