OBITUARY
Morocco Mourns Legendary Football Icon Ahmed Faras (1947–2025)
By KUNLE SOLAJA
Morocco’s football fraternity is in mourning following the passing of one of its greatest-ever players, Ahmed Faras, who died at the age of 78 after a prolonged battle with illness.
The former striker and captain of the national team leaves behind an extraordinary legacy etched into the very fabric of Moroccan and African football.
Revered as a symbol of loyalty, class, and sporting excellence, Faras’ contributions to the game were recognised throughout his life — and in his final years, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) stood by him, covering his medical expenses in a mark of deep respect for his enduring impact on the sport.
Born in 1947, Ahmed Faras devoted his entire club career — spanning nearly two decades — to SC Chabab Mohammedia, his hometown team.
Making his debut in 1964, he remained faithful to the club until his retirement in 1982. His loyalty was rewarded with multiple honours, including leading the team to the pinnacle of the Moroccan championship in 1980.
A technically gifted forward with a keen eye for goal, Faras was the top scorer in the Moroccan league in 1969 and 1973, and led Chabab Mohammedia to multiple domestic and regional titles, including two Throne Cups (1972, 1975), the National Supercup (1975), and the Maghreb Cup Winners’ Cup (1973).
But it was on the international stage that Ahmed Faras became a legend.
He captained the Atlas Lions of Morocco at the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico — the country’s first appearance at the global showpiece.
In 1975, he was named African Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Moroccan to win the prestigious award.
A year later, he cemented his place in football history by leading Morocco to its first and only Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, lifting the trophy in Ethiopia in 1976.
His performances at that tournament were pivotal. In two crucial Group B matches against Nigeria, Faras scored vital equalisers that turned the tide in Morocco’s favour.
On March 6, 1976, after Nigeria had taken a 5th-minute lead through Sam Ojebode’s penalty, Faras struck back in the 8th minute to inspire a 3-1 victory.
Again, in the decisive group stage match on March 11, he netted in the 82nd minute to level the match after Nigeria’s Baba Otu Mohammed had opened the scoring — Morocco went on to win 2-1 and eventually lifted the trophy.
Faras’ vision, poise, and leadership made him a role model for generations. In 2006, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) recognised his enduring brilliance by naming him among the best 200 African footballers of the last 50 years.
As tributes pour in from across the continent, Morocco remembers not just a footballer, but a national treasure who played the game with rare elegance and unshakable loyalty.
Ahmed Faras may be gone, but his name and legacy will forever resonate in Moroccan and African football history.
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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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