Morocco World Cup Team Blog » Team News

Morocco ascends to 37th position in FIFA ranking

Mahmoud — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:04:30 +0000

Rabat, July 2 – Moroccan soccer team has ascended three places in the new world FIFA ranking, from the 40th position to the 37th, with a total of 689 points.

At the Arab level, the Moroccan team came second after Egypt, while it ranked 6th in Africa after Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast.

Since May, Morocco has ascended eight places, moving from the 45th position to 37 this month.

New Euro 2008 champion, Spain, topped the list as the new number one nation, followed by Italy, Germany, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

FiFA’s ranking system takes into account current performance, with previous results gradually reducing in importance.

(MAP)

CAN/World Cup qualifiers: Morocco bests Rwanda to lead Group

Mahmoud — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:51:14 +0000

Casablanca, June 23 – Morocco bested Rwanda 2-0 at the fourth game of the 2010 FIFA world cup/Africa nations’ cup qualifiers to join the Amavubi Stars at the leadership.

Seeking to take revenge over Rwanda after the large 3-1 defeat in Kigali, the Moroccans put their feet down on the accelerator at the outset of the game creating several goal opportunities.

By the 11th minute into the first half, Abdessalam Benjelloun was aggressed in the Rwandan area and the Algerian referee whistled a penalty for the Moroccans. Youssef Safri converted the penalty to open the score for the Atals Lions.

Five minutes later, the same Benjelloun came back to spread panic in the Rwandan camp with a wonderful shoot that shook the left goalpost of the Rwandan keeper. The Moroccans continued their solo dance in the Rwandan camp till the end of the last half.

After the second half whistle, the Moroccans raised the pace again by doubling the score at the 49th minute thanks to Liverpool player Nabil Ezher, who vibrated the Rwandan nets after a wonderful individual effort.

Moroccans have lost a series of obvious opportunities to increase the scoring and avoid goal-average calculations.
In the group’s other game, Ethiopia trashed Mauritania 6-1.

Standing:

1- Morocco 9
2- Rwanda 9
3- Ethiopia 6
4- Mauritania 0

(MAP)

CAN/World Cup qualifiers: Morocco stumbles in Rwanda

Mahmoud — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:46:16 +0000

Kigali, June 16 – Moroccan squad on Saturday stumbled 1-3 before Rwanda in their third game of the 2010 FIFA world cup/Africa nations’ cup qualifiers.

14th minutes into the first half, striker Elias Ntaganda got the opener for the locals to set the stadium alight, while his teammate Labama Bokota Kamana doubled the lead at 68th minute.

After Houssine Kharja failed to convert a penalty, the Moroccans succeeded to reduce the scoring at the 76th through Youssef Safri.

Olivier Karekezi sealed the game destiny at the 90th minute with a third goal.

After a quarrel between Moroccan Soufiane Alloudi and Rwandan Eric Kabana, the two players got a red card at the 74th.

In the other game in Group 8, Ethiopia beat Mauritania 1-0 in Nouakchott on Friday evening.

After three days, the Rwandans take the lead with nine points, followed by Morocco (6 points), Ethiopia (3 points) and Mauritania (0 point).

In the fourth game, the Atlas Lions will play Rwanda next Saturday in Morocco
(MAP)

Atlas Lions eliminate Algeria from CHAN qualifiers

Mahmoud — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:43:51 +0000

(MAP) – Fes, May 19 – Moroccan National Football Team won over the Algerian side 3-1 on penalties, on Saturday, to book their ticket to the final round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers of locally-based players.

The Atlas Lions took the lead in the 29th minute thanks to a goal of Mohamed Madihi, but Algeria’s Nassim Dahhouch equalized eight minutes before final whistle. With a 1-1 draw in the first leg, in Kolea (Algeria), the two sides were forced into penalty shootouts that gave victory to Morocco.

Morocco will lock horns with Libya, which qualified for next round over Tunisia. The Libyan team had got a bye following the withdrawal of Egypt from the tournament, slated for February 22 through March 8, 2009 in Cote d’Ivoire.

Roger Lemerre appointed to lead Atlas Lions

Mahmoud — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:56:46 +0000

(MAP) -Rabat, May 13 – Frenchman, Roger Lemerre, was picked to succeed his countryman, Henri Michel, in leading the Moroccan soccer squad, local Football Federation (FRMF) revealed in a press release.

The appointment comes after several months of negotiations on whether to opt for a Moroccan or a foreign coach, and only three weekends before the opening group qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

Lemerre, 66, will take charge on July 1, 2008, the release said.

The decision was taken “after deep reflection” and “meticulous consideration” of the bids presented, and “while taking into consideration the experiences lived recently,” FRMF said, concluding that “all the conditions are now met for Mr. Lemerre to takes up the responsibility of the national teams.”

Lemerre is succeeding his countryman Henri Michel who was fired in January after the poor performance of the Moroccan soccer squad in the African Cup finals in Ghana, and their early exit from the tournament.

The Federation said it will name trained and experienced local coaches to ensure the technical supervision of the other categories of national teams.

Morocco trash Belgium 4 -1 in a friendly in Brussels

Mahmoud — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:46:48 +0000

(AP) -Morocco scored two goals in each half Wednesday to beat Belgium 4-1 in a friendly.

Soufiane Alloudi and Tarik Sektoui gave Morocco a 2-0 lead by the 34th minute, before Axel Witsel pulled a goal back for Belgium 16 minutes later.

Nabil El Zhar restored Morocco’s two-goal margin in the 85th after pouncing on a defensive error and curling the ball past Morocco goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen. Abdessalam Benjelloun made it 4-1 in the 90th.

Fathi Jamal replaced Henri Michel and became Morocco’s temporary coach after the team was knocked out of the African Cup of Nations in the first round earlier this year.

“After our dramatic exit in the Africa Cup, this really feels great. It has been a long time since we played like this,” Morocco playmaker Mbark Boussoufa said.

List of the 24 Players called for Morocco’s Friendly against Belgium

Mahmoud — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:32:21 +0000

Fathi Jamal has selected 24 players for the friendly of Morocco against Belgium on March 26th reported MAP.

5 Players in this squad list are from Moroccan league from which two are goalkeepers (Karim Fegrouch and Hamza Boudlal).

Also five players from the Olympic team are selected: Abdeslam Benjelloun, Rachid Hamdani, Adil Hermach, Nabil Dirar and Nabil El Zhar.

Here’s the squad list:
1. Nadir Lamyaghri (Al Wahda/UAE).
2. Karim Fegrouch (Wydad Casablanca).
3. Hamza Boudlal (Olympique Khouribga).
4. Salaheddine Sbai (RC Charleroi/Belgium).
5. Amine Erbate (Dafra/UAE).
6. Michael Basser (AS Nancy-Lorraine/France).
7. Abdeslam Ouaddou (Valenciennes FC/France).
8. Mourad Aini (Raja Casablanca).
9. Youness Mankari (Wydad Casablanca).
10. Badr El Kadouri (Dynamo Kiev/Ukraine).
11. Youssef Hadji (AS Nancy-Lorraine/France).
12. Youssef Safri (Southamton FC/England).
13. Tarik Sektioui (FC Porto/Portugal).
14. Houssine Kharja (FC Siena/Italia).
15. Adil Hermach (KSV Roulers/Belgium).
16. Rachid Hamdani (Clermont Foot/France).
17. Issam Erraki (AS FAR).
18. Nabil Dirar (Westerloo/Belgium).
19. Nabil El Zhar (Liverpool/England).
20. Marouane Chamakh (Girondins de Bordeaux/France).
21. Mbarek Boussoufa (Anderlecht/Belgium).
22. Hicham Aboucherouane (Esprance de Tunis/Tunisia).
23. Soufiane Alloudi (Al Ain/UAE).
24. Abdessalam Benjelloun (Hibernian/Scotland).

Badou Zaki the new coach of Morocco !!!!

Mahmoud — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:52:43 +0000

According to several sources, Badou Zaki the ex-goalkeeper of Morocco’s national team and winner of the african gold ball, will be designated as the head coach of Morocco’s squad. It will be announced tomorrow in an official press release by the Royal Moroccan Federation of Football. He will be assisted by Rachid Taoussi. In the other hand Fathi Jamal will acquire the title of the technical director of all the national teams.

The new coach for Morocco’s squad will be announced on Monday

Mahmoud — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:40:05 +0000

The moraccan daily ” Le Matin ” has reported that the succesor for Henri Michel will be announced on Monday March 10th. Badou Zaki, Fathi Jamal, Mustapha Madih, Aziz Amri and Rachid Taoussi are all in this race to carry the Moroccan national squad to the world cup qualifying and also to the CAN 2010 of the same year.

24 Players called for a chance to carry the National Jersey

Mahmoud — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:03:00 +0000

The provisional manager of Morocco’s squad Fathi Jamal has called 24 players from the home league to a training camp in Maamora’s Center. It’s has been said that this comes to endorse Jamal Fathi’s trust in local players to carry the national team jersey. A half dozen of them will take part in the national squad ahead of the clash with Belgium next coming weeks.

List of players called:

Fegrouch ( Wydad)
Boudlal (Ock)
Ayni(Raja)
Youssef El Bassri(Far)
Adil Fahim(Izk)
Morsadi(Ock)
Damiani(Dhj)
Karim El youssfi(Mat)
Hamada el Ouali(Kac)
Zoubayri(Kacm)
Hissa(Husa)
Ismail Oujeghfou(FUS)
Mankari(Wydad)
Brazi(Wydad)
Erraki(Far)
Chihani(Izk)
Oulhaj(Raja)
Dayfi(Dhj)
Mrabet(Mat)
Mnassfi(Far)
Ouaddouch(FAR)
Bezghoudi(Ock)
Benhnia(Mas)
Hemmal(Dhj)