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FUTSAL

With CAN Futsal 2024, Morocco confirms status as ultimate football destination in Africa

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On Thursday, Moroccan football culture attains a new height as the seventh edition of CAF Futsal AFCON gets underway.

Just like the Women’s Afcon, which the kingdom is hosting back-to-back, Morocco is hosting the Futsal for the second successive time.

Eight teams are line-up in Rabat from 11-21 April 2024. An indication of Morocco’s growing influence is the fact the the kingdom has won the last two titles of the quadrennial competition which has two debutants Namibia and Mauritania.

Ever-ready to host tournaments, Morocco refurbished the Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah and Salle IBN Yassine as venues for the exciting fast-paced eight nations indoor football competition. 

Like in other competitions hosted by Morocco, full houses are again expected to fill the world-class Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah and the Salle IBN Yassine venues for the thrilling matches.

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This indoor football continental competition promises to be a new coronation for the Kingdom of Morocco as it continues to confirm its leadership in the sports field and its commitment to the development of African football.

This is understandable considering the  enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the first promoter of a greater involvement of Morocco on the African continent and champion of South-South cooperation. One of His Majesty’s contribution is the sumptuous Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.

  Under the current monarch,  Morocco has already accumulated a rich experience and undeniable know-how in the organization of major sporting events.

The 2018 CHAN, the 2020 CAN Futsal in Laayoune, the last and next Women’s CAN, the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, the U23 CAN, the next five editions of the U17 Women’s CAN as well as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the  2030 World Cup are testimonies of the country’s high level sports organisation.

Thanks to its high-level infrastructure, Morocco hosted more than 19 African teams that came to play international football matches during the last FIFA window in March.

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This success story is the fruit of the enlightened vision of  King Mohammed VI, who attaches particular importance to the development of sport and the promotion of the values of fair play and solidarity.

The Sovereign spares no effort to make Morocco a privileged host land for major sporting competitions and a key player in the African sporting landscape.

Morocco, a talented football nation

Morocco is not only a leader in terms of organization, but it is also a talented football nation. The kingdom is not just a participant, Morocco also present strong teams.

The national futsal team is the perfect illustration of this. Indeed, the Atlas Lions have won the last two CAN Futsal and reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup.

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They are currently ranked 8th in the FIFA Futsal rankings, confirming their status as a continental power in this discipline.

The 2024 CAN Futsal will therefore be an opportunity for Morocco to once again demonstrate its talent and passion for football.

The national team will be keen to thrill the Moroccan public and lift the trophy for the third time in a row.

An event that carries values

The organization of the 2024 CAN Futsal is not just a sporting competition. It is also an event that carries noble values such as South-South cooperation, unity and African solidarity.

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Morocco, faithful to its commitment to the continent, will do everything possible to make the 2024 CAN Futsal a resounding success and a symbol of the unity and dynamism of African football.

In conclusion, Morocco is positioning itself as the leader of African football as a host country and a talented nation.

The 2024 CAN Futsal promises to be a grand event that will allow the Kingdom to share its passion for football with the rest of the continent and confirm its leadership on the African sporting scene.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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FUTSAL

King Mohammed VI congratulates Morocco’s women’s futsal team, crowned African champions

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Morocco’s monarch, King Mohammed VI, has sent a message of congratulations to the national women’s futsal team following their victory in the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations held on Wednesday in Rabat.

In the message circulated by the Moroccan News Agency, MAP, the monarch wrote:

“On the occasion of your brilliant victory in the Futsal AFCON (Morocco 2025), it gives me great pleasure to extend to you, and through you to all the members of the team, my warmest congratulations on this African title, which further strengthens the ongoing development of women’s football in our country,” the Sovereign writes in the message.

“I take great pride in the fact that your promising team had the honour of winning the first edition of this African championship, hosted successfully by our country, and that you also secured qualification for the first-ever Women’s Futsal World Cup, scheduled towards the end of this year in the Philippines.” 

The King noted that the unprecedented triumph confirms the prominent place now held by Moroccan female players, who are strongly determined to continue achieving honourable results for national football and to make their mark in sporting events across Africa and the world. 

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Applauding the high-level performance and deep patriotic spirit demonstrated by the national team players throughout the tournament, the Sovereign expressed His High appreciation for the efforts of all those who contributed to this well-deserved continental achievement, including female players, technical staff, medical and administrative personnel, and officials.

In this message, the King implores the Almighty to grant them continued success in forthcoming continental and international competitions, while assuring them of His High solicitude and benevolence.

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FUTSAL

Morocco claim historic Women’s Futsal AFCON title in last-minute thriller

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Morocco were crowned champions of the inaugural Women’s Africa Futsal Cup of Nations after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tanzania in a gripping final played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat on Wednesday night.

In front of a vibrant home crowd, the Lionesses of the Atlas came from two goals down to secure their first-ever continental title, with Jasmine Demraoui netting the decisive goal in the final minute of regulation time.

The win not only handed Morocco their maiden trophy in women’s futsal but also secured their qualification for the first-ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, set to be held in the Philippines from 27 November to 7 December 2025.

 Tanzania, valiant finalists, also booked their spot in the global showpiece.

The final began with Morocco on the back foot as Tanzania’s high press unsettled the hosts. Anastazia Katunzi opened the scoring in the 4th minute, capitalising on a poorly cleared ball to fire her side ahead.
Tanzania doubled their advantage in the 16th minute through Jamila Rajabu, finishing off a swift counter-attack to stun the Rabat crowd.

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But Morocco responded with determination. Just before half-time, Doha El Madani calmly slotted home a penalty to pull one back and swing momentum toward the hosts.

Buoyed by the crowd, Morocco returned with renewed energy in the second half. In the 34th minute, Drissia Korrych levelled the tie with a composed finish from a cleverly worked corner.

As the match neared its conclusion, both sides pushed for a winner. Tanzania’s physicality began to fade, while Morocco surged forward with belief. In the dying seconds, Demraoui found space to fire a precise low drive across the goalkeeper to complete a stunning comeback and ignite wild celebrations in Rabat.

Earlier in the day, Cameroon claimed third place with a convincing 4-1 win over Angola.

The tournament’s awards went to Jasmine Demraoui (Best Player, Morocco), Doha El Madani (Top Scorer with 5 goals, Morocco), and Nassra Abbas (Best Goalkeeper, Tanzania). Namibia were recognised with the Fair Play Award.

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-CAF

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FUTSAL

Morocco bids to host  Futsal World Cup

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The Kingdom of Morocco which has been the rallying point for hosting various football events in Africa and the globe generally is aiming for more events.

The president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekja has announced that the kingdom will bid for the next Futsal World Cup. His action stems from the performance of Morocco’s team at this year’s Futsal in Uzbekistan.

Morocco got to the quarter-finals. Lekja made the remarks at a ceremony held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Sale, the FRMF honoured Morocco’s national futsal team.

He praised the team’s performance and as he spoke about Morocco’s growing reputation in football. “Under the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, we are making significant strides in football development at regional, continental, and international levels,” said Lekjaa.

He further urged futsal officials to develop a comprehensive strategy to elevate the sport, especially in light of Morocco’s upcoming bid to host the Futsal World Cup.

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Hicham Dguig, the national futsal team coach, expressed gratitude for the support received upon the team’s return from Uzbekistan.

Captain Soufiane El Mesrar echoed these sentiments, speaking to the substantial resources provided to the team and the importance of continued progress to maintain Morocco’s standing in the sport.

As Morocco prepares to host major football tournaments, including AFCON 2025 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, its ambitions to host the Futsal World Cup further showcase the country’s dedication to cementing itself as a global football hub.

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