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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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FUTSAL
Nigeria ungraded as FIFA begins futsal ranking
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Nigeria did not make the cut as FIFA makes an inaugural Futsal Men’s and Women’s World Rankings. This could be due to the inactivity of the country in that aspect of football – the indoor soccer.
The FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup enters its 10th edition this year in Uzbekistan, but Nigeria had taken part only once in 1992 in Hong Kong.
The Nigerian team came last in Group A comprising of Argentina, Poland and Hong Kong after losing all three matches.
In contrast, Morocco are ranked Africa’s number one and sixth in the world. Thanks to their recent victory was winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Futsal tournament, when they beat Angola 5-1 in the finals.
Among the top-ranked countries alongside Morocco are Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Iran, and Argentina.
Brazil led the FIFA Futsal Ranking, followed by Portugal in second place, Spain in third place, Iran in fourth place, and Argentina in fifth place.
Morocco, in sixth place, is followed by Russia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and France.
FUTSAL
Morocco ease past Angola to clinch record-equalling third Futsal AFCON title
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The Atlas Lions of Morocco clinched their third consecutive CAF Futsal AFCON title following a stunning 5-1 victory over Angola in Sunday’s entertaining final.
A sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall witnessed Hicham Dguig write history by joining Egypt as the two teams to have won the continental championship on three occasions.
Goals from Soufiane Borite, Bilal Bakkali, Anas El Ayyane, Idriss Raiss El Fenni, and captain Soufiane El Mesrar were enough to secure Morocco the victory in front of their fans.
The hosts started brightly against the Sable Antelopes in Rabat, with Soufiane El Mesrar and Soufian Charraoui coming close to breaking the deadlock for Hicham Dguig’s side.
Backed by their vocal fans, Morocco scored the opener after 6 minutes through Soufiane Borite. The FC Kemi ace latched onto Raiss El Fenni’s cross to guide his effort into an unguarded Angolan goal.
The Sable Antelopes responded to draw level when Aderito Santo slotted in the equalizer with a composed finish at the back post.
The two sides continued to attack as they battled for the next goal of the match, and it was the Atlas Lions who grabbed it four minutes before the break, courtesy of Idriss Raiss El Fenni, to send the home fans into wild celebrations.
Captain El Mesrar gave Morocco a two-goal advantage just before halftime when he squared Bilal Fenni’s through ball.
Anas El Ayyane and Bilal Bakkali completed the Atlas Lions’ comprehensive victory with two late goals to secure their third consecutive title.
Morocco, Angola, and Libya will represent the continent at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan later this year.
FUTSAL
Egypt cruise past Namibia to regain top spot in Group B
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Three time champions Egypt produced a strong second half performance to beat Namibia 10-3 in the ongoing Futsal AFCON Morocco 2024.
GehadArafa’s side showed their class and experience against the tournament newcomers on Sunday, 14 April at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall.
Mohamed Farag forced a save from Cee-Jay Van Wyk in the Brave 5 goal before a clever interchange of Egyptian passes freed Khaled Abdelhalim at the back post but the Saudi based star fired against the post.
The three time champions broke the deadlock after 5 minutes through Alaa Eissa’s effort. Khaled Abbas smashed a shot straight into the midriff of Van Wyk as the Egyptians pushed to their second.
Mohamed Abdelrazak Koki missed a great opportunity to extend their lead while Nanguel Kamatuka saw his goal bound shot cleared off the line by an Egyptian defender.
The debutants leveled matters eight minutes before halftime courtesy of Reginald Clive Willemse’s stunning finish. Willemse pounced on a loose ball just outside the area to rifle his effort into the roof of the Pharaohs net.
Egypt regained their lead a minute later when Khaled Abdelhalim curled a delightful shot past Van Wyk but his celebrations were short lived as Rowen Jager equalised for the spirited Namibians.
Captain Ken Salote missed the target to put Ryan Jago’s men in front at the magnificent Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall. Namibia were punished on the stroke of halftime for wasting their chances when Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki slotted in their third to go into the break with a 3-2 advantage.
The North Africans extended their lead in the first minute of the second half when Essam Ramadan drilled in a low drive past Van Wyk to make it 4-2.
Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki scored his second of the match to give the Egyptians a handsome 5-2 advantage before Abdelrahman Moawad made it 6-2 with a toe poke finish to beat Cee-Jay.
Namibia keeper Ryiena Riya pulled a goal back on either side of Ahmed Mohamed’s quick double. Khaled Abdelhalim scored a second to put Egypt 9-3 up before Ahmed Mohamed completed his hat trick to make it 10-3 for the tournament’s most successful team.
Egypt sit at the summit of the Group B with 6 points with Mauritania in second with 3 points ahead of their match against Libya alongside Namibia are without a point.
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