Latest news with #Benhachem
Al Arabiya
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Kaku Scores Go-Ahead Goal and Al Ain Downs Wydad 2-1 at Club World Cup
Kaku scored early in the second half to lift Al Ain to a 2–1 victory over Wydad on Thursday in the final match of the Club World Cup for both clubs. Both teams were already eliminated from contention for the tournament's knockout round. They went into the final group match without a win in Group G, which was dominated by Juventus and Manchester City. Manchester City defeated Juventus 5–2 simultaneously in Orlando, Florida, to claim the top spot in the group. Wydad coach Mohamed Amine Benhachem was at the game on crutches following a traffic accident with a team physician earlier in the week. No one involved in the accident was seriously injured, but the Moroccan coach was unable to attend the team's news conference the day before the match. Wydad scored in the fourth minute. Cassius Mailula found himself unchallenged at the end of a cross by Mohamed Moufid and beat goalkeeper Rui Patrício at the near post. Mailula is currently on loan to Wydad from Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. Kodjo Laba converted a penalty just before halftime to pull Al Ain even. Al Ain took the lead in the 50th minute when Paraguayan international Kaku finished into the upper right corner. Wydad center back Jamal Harkass was injured in the run-up to the goal and had to be taken off on a stretcher. Key moment: Laba's successful penalty, which was confirmed by video review, broke a scoreless run in the tournament by the team from the United Arab Emirates. The Togolese forward was the UAE Pro League's top scorer this past season. Takeaways: With both teams already eliminated, the outcome was mostly a matter of pride for the winner. Wydad's only previous goal in the tournament came from Thembinkosi Lorch against Juventus.
Morocco World
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
FIFA Club World Cup: Wydad Casablanca Coach, Staff Injured in US Road Accident
Rabat — Morocco's Wydad Athletic Club's (WAC) head coach Amine Benhachem and three delegation members were involved in a road accident in the US, where the Moroccan club is participating in the FIFA Club World Cup. The accident happened near Washington, with initial reports saying no serious injuries were sustained in the incident. The four victims included Benhachem, team doctor Abderrazak Hifti, general director Youssef Debbagh, and a member of the technical staff. The club quickly issued a statement to reassure fans about the situation and the condition of those involved. Three of the accident victims were discharged from Suburban Hospital in Maryland and immediately rejoined the rest of the team delegation, while coach Benhachem was kept under medical observation as a precautionary measure. All four have now returned to the team's headquarters, allowing Benhachem to resume preparations with his players and staff for the upcoming crucial match against UAE's Al Ain FC. Wydad president Hicham Ait Menna is reportedly on-site to support the coach during this difficult period. The incident comes at a challenging time for Wydad, which has struggled significantly in their Club World Cup campaign. The Reds have suffered two consecutive defeats, losing 2-0 to Manchester City and 4-1 to Juventus, leaving them at the bottom of their group with zero points. Wydad is scheduled to face Al Ain FC on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. Moroccan time in what will be their final group stage match. Both the Moroccan and Emirati clubs are tied with zero points, while their Group C opponents, Manchester City and Juventus, have each secured six points. The match against Al Ain, featuring Moroccan international Soufiane Rahimi, represents Wydad's last chance to avoid elimination from the tournament without a single victory, making it a do-or-die situation for both clubs. Despite the setback caused by the accident, Wydad officials expressed confidence that the team would be fully prepared for the crucial fixture, with all staff members now recovered and back with the squad in the US. Tags: FIFA Club World CupWydad FC
Morocco World
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
‘We've Prepared Some Surprises': Wydad Coach on Facing Manchester City
Rabat – Just hours before Wydad Casablanca steps onto the pitch to face Manchester City in their opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, head coach Amine Benhachem shared his thoughts in a press conference. Benhachem did not downplay the scale of the challenge. 'Everyone knows how tough this match will be,' he admitted. 'City controls the ball better than most and pushes even Europe's best teams to the edge.' But despite the obvious gap in resources and reputation, he spoke with conviction about Wydad's readiness. 'We believe in our path. We have shaped a way of playing that protects what we do best,' he said. 'The aim isn't just to defend, it's to stand our ground, cause trouble, and leave the pitch with pride. We've prepared some surprises for them.' Benhachem addressed the imbalance without excuses, saying that ' the difference in means is huge.' 'But Moroccan football has earned respect. We've seen our national teams rise on the biggest stages,' the coach recalled. 'The Moroccan player responds to pressure with grit. That's part of our identity.' The question of experience, his first Club World Cup versus Guardiola's towering resume, didn't seem to rattle him. 'I'm 50,' he said, brushing off any suggestion of inexperience. 'The gap between us isn't about age, it's about the level we work in. Guardiola coaches at a level that's far from what we see locally or in African competitions. But that doesn't scare us. Moroccan footballers don't fold under pressure. We've proven that more than once,' he added. Benhachem revealed that his technical staff studied City closely. His focus rested on breaking down how to contain players like Erling Haaland. 'Their squad is full of danger. We've spent time working to neutralize their most decisive players. Haaland, in particular, requires serious attention. Yes, we've had problems in defense recently. Tomorrow will show whether our adjustments hold.' The game is taking place today at 5 pm GMT+1 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Tags: 2025 FIFA Club World CupFootballmanchester citysportswydad
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Wydad ready to challenge City in Club World Cup clash
WYDAD Casablanca coach Amine Benhachem has promised that his team will compete with Manchester City in their opening game at the Club World Cup despite being rank outsiders for the meeting with Pep Guardiola's side. 'It is going to be a difficult match, let's not kid ourselves -- Manchester City, enough said,' Benhachem told reporters on the eve of Wednesday's game in Philadelphia. 'This is going to be hard, but we have our chances. We have our way of playing and we can at least compete.' Wydad are one of the giants of North African football and qualified for FIFA's new competition as a recent winner of the CAF Champions League. However, they had a disappointing season in Morocco, finishing third in their domestic league. That performance led to them parting company with South Africa-born coach Rulani Mokwena, with Benhachem replacing him on the bench. 'We want to make it hard for them. The intensity will be there and we do have our own ambitions,' he added of the game at Lincoln Financial Field against the 2023 UEFA Champions League winners. Wydad will also face Italian giants Juventus and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in Group G, with the top two advancing to the last 16. 'The central part is that any opponent we face will not be comfortable. We are ready and we have surprises for our opponents,' Benhachem said.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Wydad coach promises to make life tough for Man City at Club World Cup
WYDAD Casablanca coach Amine Benhachem has promised that his team will compete with Manchester City in their opening game at the Club World Cup despite being rank outsiders for the meeting with Pep Guardiola's side. 'It is going to be a difficult match, let's not kid ourselves -- Manchester City, enough said,' Benhachem told reporters on the eve of Wednesday's game in Philadelphia. 'This is going to be hard, but we have our chances. We have our way of playing and we can at least compete.' Wydad are one of the giants of North African football and qualified for FIFA's new competition as a recent winner of the CAF Champions League. However, they had a disappointing season in Morocco, finishing third in their domestic league. That performance led to them parting company with South Africa-born coach Rulani Mokwena, with Benhachem replacing him on the bench. 'We want to make it hard for them. The intensity will be there and we do have our own ambitions,' he added of the game at Lincoln Financial Field against the 2023 UEFA Champions League winners. Wydad will also face Italian giants Juventus and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in Group G, with the top two advancing to the last 16. 'The central part is that any opponent we face will not be comfortable. We are ready and we have surprises for our opponents,' Benhachem said.
