Latest news with #Wydad
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Yahya Jabrane Returns Back to Wydad
Rabat – Moroccan international Yahya Jabrane has officially returned to Wydad Casablanca after one season with the Kuwaiti first-tier Club Kuwait SC. The player confirmed the return on a definitive agreement with the club management led by Hicham Ait Menna, about the settlement of a significant salary debt held by the club. Jabrane has agreed to the settlement regarding the withdrawal of the complaint he had filed against Wydad AC after they refused to respond to him about the financial substitutes. The 34-year-old carved out a place in Wydad's history by winning three Botola Pro titles with the club during the 2018–19, 2020–21, and 2021–22 seasons. In addition, he played a pivotal role in the triumph during the CAF Champions League in the 2021-22 season as captain of the team through the championship. His return restores a vital source of leadership and experience that was notably absent during Wydad's difficult season last year. Tags: Wydad CasablancaYahya Jabrane
Morocco World
7 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Wydad to Face Qatari Club Al Sadd in Friendly
Wydad AC will take on Qatari champions Al Sadd in a pre-season friendly for the 'Al Ahrar Cup.' The match is scheduled for Sunday, August 10, at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. Al Sadd confirmed the fixture as part of their summer programme, returning from their training camp in Spain on August 4. This will be Wydad's first outing since the 2025 Club World Cup, as the Casablanca-based side continue preparations for next season, including a campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup. Wydad finished third in the 2024-25 Botola Pro 1. Al Sadd is Qatar's most decorated club, boasting over 50 official titles, including league championships, Emir Cups, and continental trophies. The club attracted worldwide attention under former Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández, who coached the team until late 2024.
Axios
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Axios
What the FIFA Club World Cup taught Philly
The FIFA Club World Cup is in the rearview, but it will provide a road map for Philadelphia planners putting on next year's World Cup matches. Why it matters: The 2026 event is expected to have a roughly $770 million economic impact on Philly, attracting more than 500,000 attendees. The big picture: Lincoln Financial Field — which will be referred to as Philadelphia Stadium during the tourney — will host a total of six World Cup matches starting in June 2026: five group matches and one Round of 16. State of play: The recent Club World Cup gave Philly a taste of how different soccer fans and their cultures are from other sporting events the city has experienced, Meg Kane, host city executive, tells Axios. "It is not Eagles-Dallas, 4 o'clock in the afternoon on a cold winter's day," she said. Kane, who heads the organization tasked with planning and executing the World Cup in the city, wasn't involved in the operations for the Club World Cup. But she picked up several key lessons from the recent tournament. "It was a great real-time testing ground for us," Kane says. Here are Kane's big takeaways from the Club World Cup in Philly: 🎉 The fans The Club World Cup drew big international and domestic fan bases to the city over the course of eight matches, Kane said. Fan culture is loud, passionate and raucous, but also unique to each club. Case in point: Wydad fans set off flares and smoke bombs inside the Linc. Soccer fans also seem to prefer gathering in a single place — like LOVE Park — before marching to the arena together and remaining there from kickoff to the final whistle. 🚨 Security Updates to safety and security measures at the Linc will be needed. The goal is to thwart fans from sneaking in illegal items — like flares —but allow permitted items — like big drums — all while ensuring timely access into the stadium through security. 💰 Tourism Hotel occupancy in Center City was up 18% year over year during the Club World Cup, Kane said. There's also anecdotal evidence that bars and restaurants saw an uptick in business during the event, she said. The takeaway: Fans are likely to come, stay and spend money in the city — despite fears of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown among fans. 🚇 Infrastructure SEPTA was heavily used by fans to get to and from the stadium. Threat level: SEPTA is bracing for massive service cuts and fare hikes this year, which will depend on state funding. 💬 Language support Translators positioned around the stadium and potentially key points in Philly will be needed, Kane said. Next year's tourney will draw fans speaking many different languages, who will need help navigating the area. What's next: City officials, FIFA, Philadelphia Soccer 2026 and others will debrief about the Club World Cup in the coming weeks.
Morocco World
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Wydad Signs Congolese Midfielder Joseph Bakasu
Wydad Athletic Club have signed Congolese midfielder Joseph Bakasu on a four-year deal coming from Maniema Union. The 21-year-old will join the Casablanca-based club as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with the Congolese club. According to AfricaFoot, the deal is worth around €650,000. Bakasu has already arrived in Casablanca to undergo the medical tests and finalize the signing. The club is expected to officially confirm the transfer within hours. The midfielder made 10 appearances in the CAF Champions League this season, scoring once against Raja Athletic Club. He is expected to join Wydad's pre-season training camp in the coming days. Bakasu becomes the latest addition to Wydad's squad during a busy transfer window, joining Stéphane Aziz Ki, Nordin Amrabat, Hamza El Hanouri and Bart Meijers. With such deals Wydad is eager to recover their form for the upcoming events including CAF Confederation Cup. Tags: Bakasubotola prowydad
Morocco World
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Mokwena Takes Charge of Algerian Side
Former Wydad AC Rhulani Mokwena has been appointed head coach of Algerian outfit MC Alger, replacing Tunisian Khaled Ben Yahia. The club confirmed the South African's arrival on their Facebook page last night. Mokwena, 38, endured a difficult spell with Wydad following his move from Mamelodi Sundowns, finishing the season trophyless. Under his tenure, Wydad played 35 matches, registering 11 wins, 12 draws, and four defeats. He succeeded Ben Yahia, who led Mc Alger to a domestic double last season after winning the Algerian Ligue 1 title with 58 points and the Algerian Super Cup. The club also reached the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League under his guidance. MC Alger will compete in the CAF Champions League this season, and the expectations are high for Mokwena to lead the team to an honourable performance. This move was largely welcomed by the club's supporters: 'Good luck to him in coaching one of the pillars of Algeria's clubs. I hope Algerian clubs return to honouring us and shining on the African continent,' one user wrote on Facebook. Another added: 'A great coach with great competence. He is a coach with strong ideas in the world of football.' Details of Mokwena's contract have not yet been disclosed. Tags: AlgeriaMC AlgerRhulani MokwenaSouth Africa
