African football has seen a stealthy shift of power, although it can scarcely be said to have happened on the quiet.Its been a glorious year for Morocco, who only two years ago were in the bad books of African football having been suspended for two years after they withdrew from hosting the 2015 African Cup of Nations attributing to the Ebola Scourge.
But as they say Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength Morocco spruced up and quickly returned to the party as they hit the ground running to be the creative hub of African football fast becoming an Indispensable member of African football.
The North African are the darling of African football and they have lived up to the billing making an immediate impact off the bench gruelling for the finest not only on the pitch but also administratively where they have used strategic agreements to increase their influence on the continent.
Morocco, back in 1970, were the first African country to win a point at a World Cup. Sixteen years later, they were first to reach the second phase at a finals.On Saturday 11th November 2017 they demolished hosts Cote D’Ivoire qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Last weekend, the CAF Champions League cup went back to Morocco when Wydad Casablanca were crowned champions edging out Al Ahly of Egypt to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup to be held in the UAE in December.
And if there’s one man swimming with this tide, it is Herve Renard, the manager of Morocco. The Frenchman, conspicuous on the touchlines of Africa’s stadiums for the last decade in his smart, bright white shirt, has made history in southern Africa, in west Africa and and now North Africa with the new kids on the block Morocco.
The success on the pitch has replicated itself off the pitch in a big way especially after Morocco backed the right horse now President Ahmad in the 2017 CAF Elections in Addis Ababa.
After losing the rights to host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and a subsequent two-tournament ban under then CAF President Issa Hayatou, Morocco bided its time, played the waiting game and struck when least expected. It played the politics well and ensured that Hayatou’s almost three decades in charge was swiftly brought to an end in Addis Ababa.
The grandmaster of African football Issa Hayatou was overwhelmingly trounced by Madagascar new Golden boy Ahmad Ahmad on March 16 in an historic election in Addis Ababa and Morocco were part of the bigger and sweeter strategy that worked to change the way African football will be managed in the next four years.
FMRF president Fouzi Lekjaa has been at the forefront in the thick of the move he has ensued the signing of memorandum of understanding to ensure collaboration between many African federations and their leagues for technical exchanges and other strategic agreements including friendly matches.
In July 2017 Morocco once again surprised both friends and foes putting in a bid to host the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Morocco submitted their bid just before the deadline to contest the new 48-team tournament against the joint bid by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The bid received the support from CAF President Ahmad who said: “We are convinced that Morocco could organise this competition just as South Africa did in 2010.”
Morocco has six stadiums in Marrakech, Agadir, Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Tangier and Tetouan. These are cities that have FIFA stadiums with all the infrastructures that go with it matching the ambitions of Africa.
Morocco are hosts of the 2018 African Nations Championship(CHAN) that was recently stripped off Kenya due to delays in facility delivery.
Morocco has the fifth biggest GDP on the continent after Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Algeria and is the 11th most populated. While other North African countries were racked by the Arab Spring in 2011, Morocco avoided trouble as King Mohamed VI effected reforms to keep his kingdom safe from the upheaval that left neighbours in political turmoil.
Now the country is looking increasingly outwards following years of staying away from continental gatherings due to its stance on the disputed Western Sahara.
Morocco’s interest also extends into the West African region where it is on the verge of joining the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
CAF Champions League champions Wydad Casablanca
RRMF President Fouzi-Lekjaa-FIFA President Gianni-infantino- CAF President Ahmad-Ahmad_1
Hevre Renard Morocco Coach
It is clear that Morocco is ready to play the politics and is backing it with big money. They hosted two prominent football events, the African Football Symposium and the Caf Extraordinary General Assembly, attended by Fifa president Gianni Infantino in July where Lekjaa was elected as the third vice president of Caf.
It was an opportunity to show off potential they are indeed the deserved new kids in African football.
