Hervé Renard knows his half-time talks. The players are extremely commited to him and clearly believe they can hold their own against anyone.
#FIFAWorldCup
Hakim Ziyech is on his way back to London, as agreed between Chelsea and the Moroccan football federation, following a 30-minute cameo against Senegal. Frank Lampard wanted Ziyech to return for day-to-day assessment, expecting to have him ready for Southampton next week.
#CFC
🧵 One of the best things about
#MAR
World Cup run is that fans and their passion are finally being acknowledged. It does not only concern the national team. With one of the best ultras cultures in sport, here's how the stadiums in Morocco look every single week at club level:
Walid Regragui claims that African sides are being scrutinized and expected to play a certain way.
"Why do Morocco need to keep the ball? I saw France, Germany and Portugal against Spain, not keeping possession."
The triangles and third-man movement between Hakimi, Ounahi and Ziyech are giving Brazil massive problems, as it did to every opponent in Qatar.
Morocco's greatest attacking weapon.
🎥 Hakim Ziyech - Ajax's Pressing Machine:
Creative, elegant, lethal. But Ziyech is so much more than a tricky winger. These clips are all from UCL ties vs Bayern, Madrid, Juve and Spurs. Would fit in perfectly at a side with high-intensity pressing and lots of possession.
"I play because I love it, but it's all for her."
Mothers accompanied the
#MAR
players for their honorary order reception last night, making it all the more special.
🎥 Adel Taarabt vs. Famalicao:
From a pure street footballer to a complete midfielder. In Benfica's league opener he was everywhere, winning back possession and setting up attacks. Incredible resurrection.
Hakim Ziyech has most likely played his last game for Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Although we said the same last year, this certainly looks like a farewell. Moving on to a new challenge.
🎥 Jens Petter Hauge (20) vs. Milan:
"We had observed him well and knew he was very good at getting between the lines and dribbling past his opponent on the flank. He is certainly a European level player." - Stefano Pioli
🇲🇦📈 Morocco were 95th on the FIFA Ranking in 2010. Since then they have climbed 84(!) spots and now sit 11th in the world - their second highest position ever.
CAF Club Ranking 20/21:
1. 🇲🇦Wydad
2. 🇹🇳Espérance
3. 🇪🇬Al Ahly
4. 🇨🇩TP Mazembe
5. 🇪🇬Zamalek
5. 🇿🇦Sundowns
7. 🇹🇳ES Sahel
8. 🇲🇦Raja
9. 🇬🇳Horoya
10. 🇲🇦RS Berkane
Based on results over the last five campaigns of CAF interclub competition. Will be used for seeding.
The manner in which Morocco allowed Egypt to turn the game around was massively disappointing. Number of misplaced passes were shocking. No forward options when they won the ball, instead Egypt were constantly handed the chance to build attacks.
#AFCON2021
Morocco lost 3-1 away to Mali in the first leg of Women's Olympics qualifier. Two incredible errors from FAR goalkeeper Khadija Rmichi killed the game off early. No idea what she was thinking...
🎥 Amine Harit (22) vs. Paderborn:
As predicted before the season, this will be the redemption of Harit, under the wings of David Wagner. Starting out wide, he absolutely dominated the game. Two goals, most duels won, highest pass accuracy. Magesterial.
Correct decision by Xavier Fernández to let Benzema's goal stand, as per updated IFAB regulations.
"For the purposes of determining handball offences, the ‘arm’ stops at the bottom of the armpit."
#RealSociedadRealMadrid
Highlight of Regragui's first match as Morocco coach, was the offensive build-up. Here they effectively beat Chile's high press, utilizing the width and interchanging positions (watch Hakimi), which ultimately create acres of space for Ziyech on the right. Attacking fluidity.
Imran Louza vs. Aston Villa:
Been critical of Louza in the past, but he impressed on the weekend. Needed time to adapt, after making the move from Nantes in the summer, but is slowly getting into the rhythm as a number in 6 in Roy Hodgson's 4-3-3.
Sofyan Amrabat proved against Gabon why he is
#TeamMorocco
's most trusted player under Halilhodzic. Playing w two wide number 8's in a 4-1-2-1-2, he is often covering for three when the team is dispossessed. Invaluable presence in midfield.
#AFCON2021
🔵🇲🇦 Hakim Ziyech had his goodbye tea party, «Moroccan style», with family and friends today. As explained last week, he should leave for London tomorrow and eventually join the Chelsea squad.
In the last 10 years, they have seen 32(!) graduates play in Europe, including five senior internationals for Morocco senior.
This is the Académie Mohammed VI. One of the most successful sporting projects on the African continent.
🎥 Zakaria El Wardi (20) vs. Betis:
Coming up against the likes of William Carvalho and Nabil Fekir, it was Raja Casablanca's El Wardi who dominated the midfield with his composure, precise passing and effective body feints. The next big playmaker coming out of Morocco.
CAF Interclub Ranking 20/21:
1. 🇲🇦Morocco
2. 🇪🇬Egypt
3. 🇹🇳Tunisia
4. 🇨🇩DR Congo
5. 🇩🇿Algeria
6. 🇿🇦South Africa
7. 🇿🇲Zambia
8. 🇳🇬Nigeria
9. 🇬🇳Guinea
10. 🇦🇴Angola
11. 🇸🇩Sudan
12. 🇱🇾Libya
These leagues will have four representatives across the two CAF competitions next season.
What more is there to say about Azeddine Ounahi? One of the most impressive individual performances I've ever witnessed from a Morocco player. 22 years old.
#MAR
2017 AFCON ⚽️
2018 World Cup ⚽️
2019 AFCON ⚽️⚽️
2021 AFCON ⚽️
2022 World Cup ⚽️
Youssef En-Nesyri has scored in all five international tournaments he’s played in. He’s also the first Moroccan to score in two World Cups.
#MAR
Azzedine Ounahi (21) could be the missing piece in Morocco's midfield at
#AFCON2021
. Classic pass-and-move midfielder who has grown with every Ligue1 match. Constantly looks for the one-two and eyeing a forward pass. Someone who can break down a low block.
Kwame Bonsu, a physical specimen combining strength with ball-control. Unplayable when he's in the mood.
@LotfiWada
and
@salimosaid
can vouch for this.
First time I’ve thrown up during a game of football. Unbelievable. This is something we will tell our grandchildren about 40 years from now.
Proud to be Moroccan. Dima Maghrib 🇲🇦
Romain Saïss will be the new captain of the Moroccan national team, from what I'm hearing. Vahid Halilhodžić based his decision on numerous criteria, namely Saïss' international experience, his leadership qualities and the respect he enjoys within the group. Well deserved.
Walid Regragui already preparing the next generation of
#MAR
ahead of 2023 AFCON. Chadi Riad (19, Barcelona), Benjamin Bouchouari (21, Saint-Étienne) and Ismael Saibari (21, PSV) are said to be considered for promotion from the U23's, per
@alaraby_ar
.
There's just a different aura about this Morocco team, surpassing any generation before them. Grit, discipline, tenacity, confidence. They are ruthless.
Ryan Mmaee marked his 20th goal for club and country this season in impressive fashion. Should be Morocco's starting centre-forward for World Cup play-offs.
#WCQ2022
Saudi Arabia midfielder Abdulellah Al-Malki has said the half-time team talk of their “crazy” manager Herve Renard inspired them to “want to eat the grass” and fight back to beat Argentina.
CAF’s inspection team set to arrive in Morocco next month, to evaluate their bid for 2025 AFCON.
Planned visit to stadiums in Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fès and Tangier, as well as designated training grounds and hotels.
Hosting rights to be announced in February.
📽🇲🇦 Morocco made 29 goal attempts and created 16(!) big goalscoring chances against South Africa. More than ever before under the current head coach. All of the opportunities came from open play, which has been lacking under Halilhodzic. Encouraging.
Chances created per 90mins at
#CFC
:
Hakim Ziyech - 2.1
Raheem Sterling - 1.6
Mason Mount - 1.6
Kai Havertz - 1.3
Christian Pulisic - 1.3
João Félix - 0.7
Guess who's played the least amount of minutes.
Africa have obtained 24(!) points and won seven matches in the World Cup group-stage this year. Their previous best were only 15 points and three wins.
This is also the first time ever that ALL five African nations have won a match at the World Cup.
Well done to 🇸🇳🇹🇳🇲🇦🇨🇲🇬🇭.
Africa have now taken 18 points in Qatar, crushing their own record for most points at a World Cup, with three matches (
#CMR
,
#MAR
,
#GHA
) to go.
The previous best was 15 points in 1998. Well done to the five representatives.
Azeddine Ounahi with
@AlJazeera
, looking back at his time at the Mohammed VI Academy and how close he came to giving up on his dream at the age of 16-17.
The academy provide players tools for success, but it also forces them to handle adversity from a young age.
At 24 years of age, Youssef En-Nesyri becomes the first and only Moroccan to score in three separate African Cup of Nations. 2017, 2019 and 2021.
Making history.
#AFCON2021
Abderrazak Hamdallah's goal record:
🇲🇦OCS: 44 goals in 61
🇳🇴AAFK: 19 goals in 30
🇨🇳Guangzhou: 28 goals in 39
🇶🇦El Jaish: 33 goals in 35
🇶🇦Al-Rayyan: 29 goals in 30
🇸🇦Al-Nassr: 86 goals in 68
239 goals in 263 matches. Is there a player in the world with a better career ratio?
Abderrazak Hamdallah just sent Raïs M'Bolhi back to the streets of Oum El Assel with that panenka 🔥
His 29th league goal in 27 appearances this season!
Achraf Hakimi is putting the «can’t defend» argument to bed tonight. So much more than an ultra offensive wing-back. Quickly becoming the best player in the world in his position.
#UCL
When Wydad Athletic Club kick off their
#ClubWC
campaign tomorrow, the world will get to witness one of football's greatest ultras groups.
Here is a thread of Ultras Winners '05 and their spectacular tifos from this season:
Matches with most cards at
#AFCON2021
:
🇧🇫BFA - GAB🇬🇦 - 16(!!)
🇸🇱SLE - EQG🇬🇶 - 9
🇬🇦GAB - GHA🇬🇭 - 8
🇩🇿ALG - EQG🇬🇶 - 7
🇬🇲GAM - TUN🇹🇳 - 6
Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed sets a new record for number of bookings in a single AFCON match. Madness.