AFCON
A Return to Cristiano Ronaldo Hotel
By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech
An African proverb says that when a road is good, you tend to pass through it many times. That wisdom perhaps best explains my detour from Tangier through Casablanca back to Marrakech, even though the last Africa Cup of Nations match staged in the Red City had long been concluded, Nigeria having beaten Algeria 2–0 days earlier.
Yet Marrakech, ancient and modern in equal measure, has a way of whispering that there is still more to see, more to feel, more to understand. It is a city of contrasts that refuses to be fully grasped in a single visit.
Where Centuries Share the Same Road
In Marrakech, history and modernity coexist without apology. Horse-pulled carts still trot confidently along the same roads as sleek automobiles. In the downtown areas, a casual walk through winding alleys reveals buildings that look like relics from another age. Step inside, however, and you are often startled by a sudden transformation—contemporary interiors, refined décor and modern comforts hidden behind ancient facades.
That paradox took me back to a lesson once shared by a tour guide in the medina of Fes, itself a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many buildings there are over a century old and carefully preserved.
“Everyone looks the same,” the guide had said. “If you are rich, you don’t need to flaunt it.”
It is a philosophy that runs deep in Moroccan urban culture. What appears modest or even austere from the outside may, within, unfold like a palace.
A Garden Behind Ancient Walls
One such discovery in Marrakech was Jardin du Lotus, a charming and trendy restaurant set inside a 19th-century riad in the heart of the medina. From the outside, there is little to prepare you for what lies within.
Inside, the space opens into a lush, garden-like environment where traditional Moroccan elements blend seamlessly with modern décor. The menu offers creative, seasonal cuisine, and by about 7:30 pm—when Marrakech begins to glow under lantern light—the place transforms into a dinner-show experience. A DJ sets the rhythm, exotic dancers animate the night, and a three-course meal unfolds alongside the entertainment.
Caught in the moment, I found myself drawn from my seat, instinctively offering Nigerian dance steps to guests and performers alike. Laughter ensued, and the hall erupted, with some fellow guests from the Moroccan National Association of Media and Publishers (ANME) joining in. It was spontaneous, joyous and unforgettable—fun galore before we eventually drifted back to our hotel rooms.
I showed them a bit of Naija dance steps
A Familiar Base, A Renewed Conversation
Returning to Marrakech was no accident. A quiet persuasion inspired this second missionary journey to a city that never reveals itself all at once. Once again, my port of call was the Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotel, a familiar name that now feels like a trusted away base.
This time, checking in felt less like arrival and more like resuming a conversation that had been paused.
Comfort in Contrast
The hotel continues to impress with its spacious, bright and subtly romantic spaces—an intentional contrast to Marrakech’s exotic energy. Outside, the city pulses with colour, heat and history; inside, the ambience is calm, contemporary and cosmopolitan. It is a balance perfectly suited to a travelling sports journalist: stimulation outdoors, recovery indoors.
With 174 rooms and suites, the hotel feels generous without being overwhelming. Its clean-lined, modern design prioritises comfort over excess, encouraging reflection after long days shaped by fixtures, deadlines and constant movement.
Above the Red City
One of the hotel’s enduring highlights is its rooftop swimming pool. From here, Marrakech stretches out below, while the distant outline of the Atlas Mountains anchors the horizon. As evening descends and the sun softens, the view becomes almost meditative—a reminder that geography, much like football, often rewards those willing to climb higher.
Equally inviting is the massage room with its Hammam treatment, a sanctuary designed for unwinding after the physical and mental demands of navigating the Red City. It is indulgence with intent—recovery elevated to ritual.
At the Table of Two Cultures
Dining at the hotel remains an exercise in cultural fusion. Traditional Portuguese dishes are infused with Moroccan influences, creating flavours that feel both familiar and adventurous. In many ways, the cuisine mirrors Marrakech itself: an intersection of histories, cultures and tastes.
The Ronaldo Question
I could not resist asking the inevitable question: what would happen if Cristiano Ronaldo himself walked in? Would the hotel descend into frenzy?
One of the front desk officers, Hamza Hadouz, smiled knowingly. Ronaldo, he explained, hardly visits the property these days. In fact, it has been almost four years since his last appearance. The brand is everywhere, but the man himself remains an occasional ghost—felt more in spirit than in person.
Art, Motion and Memory
As I walked through the corridors, the walls told their own stories. Large-scale artworks depicting silhouettes of sporting actions line the passageways—figures frozen mid-motion, echoing speed, strength and ambition. For a sports journalist, the imagery feels almost conversational, as though the walls themselves understand the language of competition.
Passing Through Again
This second visit confirmed what the proverb suggests: good roads invite return journeys. The Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotel remains not just a place to stay, but a fitting chapter in a broader AFCON travel narrative—where football assignments quietly expand into cultural encounters.
Marrakech, once again, refused to be just a stopover. And the road, clearly, was good enough to travel twice.
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AFCON
Morocco Rejects Claims of Delay, Defends Legal Process in Case Involving Senegalese Supporters
Morocco’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has firmly rejected allegations of unjustified delays and poor detention conditions in the ongoing case involving Senegalese football supporters arrested after unrest linked to a recent continental fixture in Rabat.
In an official clarification, judicial authorities described circulating claims as “unfounded,” insisting that the legal proceedings have been conducted in accordance with Moroccan law and international standards.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office categorically denied any suggestion that the case has been deliberately delayed. Authorities stated that all procedural timelines have been respected and that adjournments were made strictly within the framework of due process.
According to the statement, postponements of hearings were granted at the request of the defendants themselves to allow adequate time to prepare their defence and to ensure the presence of their legal representatives.
Judicial officials also dismissed reports alleging that the detainees were on hunger strike. They confirmed that the accused are receiving their meals regularly and that detention conditions comply with applicable regulations.
“The rumours suggesting otherwise are without basis,” the statement noted.
Authorities explained that one of the hearings was attended by a lawyer registered with a Bar Association in France. However, the absence of a consultation office in Morocco, coupled with the defendants’ preference to be tried in the presence of their chosen lawyers, led to a postponement of the hearing until February 12, 2026.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasised that these postponements were legitimate and aimed at safeguarding the defendants’ right to a fair trial.
Translation and Language Support
In response to concerns about language barriers, the court confirmed that it provided a sworn French-language interpreter during proceedings. French is reportedly mastered by all defendants.
Additionally, authorities coordinated with the Deputy Consul of Senegal in Morocco to make available an interpreter in Wolof, the defendants’ mother tongue, further ensuring that they fully understood the proceedings.
Officials also clarified that Moroccan law does not require the presence of an interpreter during the preliminary investigation phase if the judicial police officer understands the language of the individual concerned, provided that official reports are read and explained to them.
The Moroccan authorities reiterated their commitment to transparency, due process and the protection of the rights of all foreign nationals within the kingdom.
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A Moroccan court on Thursday sentenced 18 Senegalese football supporters to prison terms ranging from three to 12 months after finding them guilty of hooliganism during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
The supporters had been in pre-trial detention since 18 January, the day Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 in a tense and controversial final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
According to the court’s ruling, nine of the defendants received one-year prison sentences and were fined 5,000 Moroccan dirhams (approximately $545). Six others were handed six-month terms alongside fines of 2,000 dirhams (about $218), while three supporters were sentenced to three months in prison and fined 1,000 dirhams (around $109).
Prosecutors had sought a maximum penalty of two years, arguing that the accused “deliberately sought to disrupt the proper conduct of the match” and engaged in “acts of violence broadcast live on television.”
Chaos at the Final
The AFCON final was overshadowed by dramatic scenes late in regulation time following a contentious penalty awarded to Morocco after a VAR review. Senegalese players protested the decision vehemently, surrounding the referee and causing play to be halted for nearly 20 minutes.
Amid the tension, some Senegalese supporters reportedly attempted to invade the pitch, while others threw objects — including chairs — onto the field. Players from both sides temporarily left the pitch before returning after intervention from security officials and match authorities.
Authorities said their case was supported by stadium surveillance footage and medical reports detailing injuries sustained by security personnel during the unrest.
However, defence lawyers rejected the charges and described the sentences as excessive.
“The footage does not contain irrefutable proof showing that any one of them struck or assaulted anyone,” defence counsel Naima El Guellaf told the court.
Another lawyer, Patrick Kabou, called the verdict “incomprehensible,” arguing that his clients were “victims” rather than perpetrators. The defence team has confirmed plans to file an appeal.
The ruling comes as football authorities continue to grapple with the fallout from a final that, despite Senegal’s historic victory, was overshadowed by controversy both on and off the pitch.
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French coach Herve Renard has reopened the debate around the controversial “towel incident” that marred the closing stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
Renard, who previously coached Morocco and now manages the Saudi Arabia national football team, addressed the episode in a recent interview with Jeune Afrique, describing it as a complex issue rooted partly in African football culture.
“The towel story is long and complicated. It has a certain significance, that’s all,” Renard said. He suggested that, if anyone attempted to remove the towel, it could have been intended to unsettle the opponent psychologically.
“In Europe, people don’t understand that there is something behind it. Was the towel charmed? In Africa, these are beliefs, and everyone is free to believe what they want,” he added.
Renard stressed that cultural context is often overlooked by outsiders. “Those who don’t know Africa cannot understand. In this case, Moroccans would never allow anyone to cross that line,” he said, while admitting he was unsure whether events unfolded exactly as widely portrayed. Drawing from his extensive coaching experience across the continent, he noted that similar charged atmospheres are not uncommon in high-stakes African fixtures.
The incident occurred during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final in Rabat, where Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 to lift the continental crown.
Late in the match, attention shifted away from the ball to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel, which had been placed inside his goal to dry his gloves amid wet conditions. As tensions rose in the closing minutes, substitute goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf attempted to safeguard the towel, resulting in a chaotic scene inside the penalty area.
Television footage — quickly dubbed a “towel tussle” — showed Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari blocking Diouf as he tried to return the towel to Mendy, while a ball boy also reached for it. Diouf later insisted he had merely been assisting Mendy and had no intention of disrupting play.
Images circulating after the match appeared to show Moroccan players attempting to remove the towel, sparking a heated debate. Some observers viewed it as gamesmanship designed to unsettle the Senegalese goalkeeper, while others linked the episode to longstanding superstitious beliefs within segments of African football culture.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee subsequently sanctioned Saibari with a two-match suspension and a $100,000 fine. The midfielder later apologised to Mendy, stating that his actions had been misunderstood.
CAF’s refereeing chief, Olivier Safari, also addressed the matter in an interview with Canal+ Afrique.
“The towel is not part of a goalkeeper’s official equipment. Its use must remain within the spirit of fair play,” Safari explained. “If it influences the match, it must be removed from the playing area.”
His comments underscored the regulatory grey area surrounding auxiliary items such as towels, which are not formally recognised as playing equipment under the Laws of the Game but are commonly used for practical reasons.
While the final result stands and Senegal’s victory remains uncontested, the towel episode has lingered in public discourse — not merely as a fleeting controversy, but as a symbol of the psychological and cultural layers that often accompany African football.
Renard’s remarks add nuance to the debate, suggesting that what may appear trivial to some can carry deeper meaning in different footballing contexts.
Nearly a year after Senegal’s triumph in Rabat, the “towel incident” continues to provoke reflection, less about fabric inside a goalmouth, and more about the intersection of belief, psychology and competition at the highest level of African football.
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