OBITUARY
King Mohammed VI Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Late Football Legend Ahmed Faras
By KUNLE SOLAJA
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has expressed deep sorrow over the death of legendary Moroccan footballer Ahmed Faras. He sent a heartfelt message of condolence to the family of the late national hero. Ahmed Faras passed away at the age of 78.
Faras is a revered figure in Moroccan football history. He captained the national team to its only Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph in 1976. He also remains the country’s all-time leading scorer.
His death marks the end of an era for Moroccan football, with tributes pouring in from across the nation and beyond.
In a message conveyed to Faras’s family, loved ones, and the wider Moroccan sports community, King Mohammed VI paid glowing tribute to the former international, describing him as a “legendary figure of Moroccan football” and a source of national pride.
“With great emotion and deep sorrow, I learned of the passing of the former international footballer Ahmed Faras,” the King wrote.
“In this painful moment, I extend my heartfelt condolences and sincere compassion to all members of his family, his friends, his admirers, and the entire national sporting community, especially Chabab Mohammedia.”
King Mohammed VI, who was a 13-year-old prince at the time of Morocco’s AFCON triumph in 1976, fondly recalled the historic moment led by Faras.
A symbolic reminder of that victory is immortalized at the entrance of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, where a large, framed photograph captures the 1976 national team dressed in maroon suits during a reception. Standing among them in a blue suit and striped tie is the young prince, now Morocco’s monarch.
This photograph adorns the reception area of the sumptuous Mohammmed VI Football Complex
The King praised Faras for his outstanding football career, highlighting his distinction as the first Moroccan to win the African Ballon d’Or in 1975 and his vital contributions to elevating Moroccan football on the continental and global stages during the 1960s and 1970s.
“Thanks to his exceptional talent, Ahmed Faras helped elevate Moroccan football with brilliance and dignity. His commitment, noble character, and patriotism made him a role model for generations of athletes,” the King added.
Faras, who spent his entire club career with Chabab Mohammedia, is remembered not only for his on-field brilliance but also for his humility and dedication to the national cause. He remains an enduring symbol of Morocco’s golden era in football.
King Mohammed VI concluded his tribute by acknowledging the profound loss felt across the nation, while honouring Faras’ enduring legacy and expressing solidarity with the bereaved family during this time of mourning.
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Spanish fifth-division goalkeeper Raul Ramirez has died at the age of 19 following a collision during a match for his club Colindres, the Cantabrian Football Federation (RFCF) said on Monday.
Ramirez sustained a head injury during Saturday’s game against Revilla, with Spanish media reporting that the impact led to multiple cardiac arrests and left him brain dead.
The RFCF announced three days of mourning and said a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches next week in his memory.
-Reuters
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Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, the two Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs announced late on Saturday.
Beard led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 during his first stint at the club, before returning to the side in 2021 and guiding them back to the top-flight after two seasons in the second tier.
He left Liverpool in February, with his last coaching role coming in a brief spell in charge of Burnley between June and August.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”
Beard began his managerial career at Millwall before moving to Chelsea in 2009. He also coached West Ham United, Boston Breakers and Bristol City.
-Reuters
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OBITUARY
Grand master, Danladi Bako pays tribute to the late journalist and football agent, Chris Eseka
Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako, who masterminded the television programme, Mastesports on the NTA network, has paid glowing tributes to one of the anchors of the programme, Chris Eseka, who was also a former sports journalist and football agent.
In the tribute titled:” A Master Departs for Home”, Dr Bako remarks:
In 1991, at the National Stadium Surulere, after watching a boxing event together, along with Group Captain Brai Ayonote, former Boxing Federation Chairman, I told Chris I wanted him to join Paul Bassey and Sam John as a presenter for my new programme, Mastersports”, scheduled for live transmission soon on NTA 2.
He looked at me and was quiet for a while. I said, “What do you think?”, he replied “But I am not a TV presenter nah”.
I said I will train you, besides even SJ (Sam John) of the Sunday Times is on the show and Paul Bassey.
He then said,”I will do it if you say so”.
“MasterSports” went on air one February Saturday, at noon on NTA 2 Channel 5. Chris became part of the success story.
Always ready to learn, always ready to improve and ever so humble, especially the way he handled fame. He mentored so many sportswriters as well as young footballers and advised even the established stars.
Before 1992, we had travelled severally times together to cover football matches all over Africa, like the Nigeria versus Cameroon World Cup qualifying in Yaounde in 1989.
Same with tournaments like the FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi ’89 in Saudi Arabia and Algiers ’90 in Algeria.
Chris had the respect of such big-time coaches as Amodu Shaibu and Concord Publisher Bashorun MKO Abiola, and we regularly saw the Pillar of Sports together. Sometimes, without earlier plans, on a normal Saturday afternoon, we could hop into my car and drive to Abeokuta to watch Abiola Babes trade tackles with Leventis United just like that.
In 1994, I arrived in Tunis a day late for the opening ceremony of the CAF/AFCON tourney and couldn’t get a room at Hotel Diplomat, where the team was lodged, Chris opened his doors at room 108 for me to share with him.
I can go on and on about this very reliable friend and brother.
Chris was a committed sports journalist, refined, diligent and professional. When Tony Ubani and Frank Ilaboya of Sportsville gave me an award for Sports some years ago, I dedicated it to Chris.
Rest in peace, my brother. This was very hard to write. Good night, Chris Eseka, one of the Masters!
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