Tag: Arab Footballers

MOROCCO: Impressive Ayoub El Kaabi Etches Name in African Football History Books

After a few anonymous years in the Chinese Super League, El Kaabi’s 2023 transfer to Olympiacos is quickly proving to be a game-changer.

Rabat-Olympiacos’s prolific Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi has made history in the 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League season. 

At 30 years old, the Moroccan has become the first African player to score an impressive 15 goals in a single European campaign, far surpassing legends like Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, and Mohamed Salah.

The Atlas Lion’s journey to this remarkable achievement is a tale of inspiration and dedication. Born in Casablanca in 1993, he began his football career in the Moroccan amateur league, showcasing his talent with clubs such as Racing AC, RS Berkane, and Wydad AC.

His standout performances domestically earned him a spot in the Moroccan national team, where he excelled, winning the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2018 and 2020 while clinching the titles of top scorer and best player in both tournaments.

After a few anonymous years in the Chinese Super League, El Kaabi’s 2023 transfer to Olympiacos is quickly proving to be a game-changer. His impact has been immediate and decisive for the Greek club, with his bagful of goals playing a pivotal role in guiding the team to the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League. 

Notably, he scored five crucial goals in the two legs against Aston Villa in the semi-finals, showcasing his clinical finishing and ability to shine on the grandest stages.

Ayoub’s achievement stands out even more when compared to the performances of other African football stars in European competitions. 

Surpassing the likes of Didier Drogba and Sebastien Haller, as well as outshining Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, the Moroccan striker’s 15-goal tally in a single European campaign is a testament to his exceptional skills and prowess as a striker.

This historic campaign has solidified El Kaabi’s position as one of the most prominent strikers in Moroccan and African football. His journey from grassroots football to the pinnacle of European competition exemplifies his unwavering determination, hard work, and natural talent.

As he leads Olympiacos into the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina, El Kaabi has the opportunity to script another chapter in his extraordinary story, inspiring a new generation of Moroccan and African footballers with his remarkable achievements on the pitch.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Olympiacos Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi

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MOROCCO

MOROCCO’s Ilias Akhomach Ranks Among Top 3 Arab Dribblers in Europe

The new Atlas Lion played in Morocco’s first friendly game against Angola and is expected to be present in the second friendly against Mauritania on March 26.

Moroccan international footballer Ilias Akhomach is one of the top 3 most successful Arab dribblers in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season, according to the sports statistics website Sofascore.

The Villarreal CF’s right-winger has no fewer than 39 successful dribbles and comes after Algeria’s Rayan Ait-Nouri with 45 successful dribbles and Jordan’s Mousa Al-Taamari with 40 dribbles.

For the young Moroccan, who is participating in his debut season with the Spanish club, this is a huge honor. His coach Marcelino Garcia Toral has confidence in him because of his rapid rise to the starting lineup.

The 19-year-old player was recently called up by  Walid Regragui, the Moroccan national football team’s coach, to take part in the Atlas Lions’ training camp. 

On his official Instagram account, Akhomach expressed his joy over his selection to defend the Moroccan colors, saying: “Thanks God the dream has come true. I am proud of wearing the national jersey.”

Speaking to the media, the Moroccan player stated: “I always give my all when I play football … Since I was a child, I have always dreamt of being here and the opportunity has come now.” 

Akhomach made his debut in the friendly match against Angola, replacing Eliesse Ben Seghir in the 88th minute.

The game ended with a 1-0 victory in favor of Morocco with Angola’s defender David Carmo scoring an own-goal in the 72nd minute.

Akhomach is also expected to be back in the second friendly game against Mauritania on March 26, which will take place at the Adrar stadium in Agadir at 10 p.m.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Ilias Akhomach during the Morocco-Angola match

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MOROCCO

MOROCCO: Yassine Bounou (aka..Bono) makes History, becomes First Arab to Win Spanish Football League’s ‘Best Goalkeeper Award – Ricardo Zamora Trophy’

Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who plays for Sevilla FC, has become the first ever Arab goalkeeper to win the Spanish football league’s best goalkeeper award, the Ricardo Zamora Trophy.

Morocco and Sevilla FC goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has made history as the first Arab goalkeeper to win the Ricardo Zamora Trophy, which is awarded to the Spanish football league’s best goalkeeper of the season.

The coveted trophy, which has been awarded since 1958, is handed to the La Liga keeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio, having played a minimum of 60 minutes in at least 28 matches.

Bounou, who has played for Sevilla since 2019, conceded 24 goals in 31 matches during the 2021-2022 season, finishing ahead of  Real Madrid and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who conceded 29 goals, while 32 goals were scored against Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro. Bounou also received 13 clean sheets, meaning that no goal was conceded in those matches.

The Morocco international first joined Sevilla on loan for a year, before signing a permanent four-year contract with the Andalusian giants in 2020.

The goalkeeper, who is nicknamed ‘Bono’ by football fans, is also the first ever Sevilla player to win the award.

He also became the second African to win the prize after Cameroonian Jacques Songo’o, who played for Deportivo La Coruna and was awarded the trophy in 1997.

Bounou’s efforts also lead to Sevilla’s fourth-place finish in La Liga, enabling the team to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, alongside Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

Canada-born Bounou, who has earned 40 caps for the Moroccan national team, will be one of the Arab players to watch in this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the Atlas Lions will be making their sixth appearance.

source/content: english.alaraby.co.uk (The New Arab) (headline edited)

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pix: @SevillaFC-EN

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MOROCCO

Tunisian Hannibal Mejbri Elected Football’s ‘African Revelation of the Year’

Hannibal Mejbri was elected African revelation of the year by the magazine FootAfrica’s editorial staff

And this following over 469,00 votes.

“A rising star in African football, named after a Carthaginian hero destined for conquest, Hannibal Mejbri has developed several high-profile performances in the last twelve months, most notably reaching the final of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 in his national jersey (lost 0-2 to Algeria),” the magazine continues.

Voting results:

  • Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia / 18 years old): 55.64%
  • Adem Zorgane (Algeria / 21 years old): 35.88%
  • Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso / 22 years old): 4.24%
  • Mohamed Camara (Mal / 21 years old): 1.80%
  • Bamba Dieng (Senegal / 21 years old): 0.92%
  • Zakaria Aboukhlal (Morocco / 21 years old): 0.85%
  • Momo Bayo (Guinea / 23 years old): 0.37%
  • Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast / 19 years old): 0.09%
  • Silas Katompa (DRC / 23 years old): 0.08%
  • Kamaldeen Sulemana (Ghana / 19 years old): 0.07%
  • Terem Moffi (Nigeria / 22 years old): 0.06%
  • Jean Onana (Cameroon / 21 years old): 0.03%

source/content: carthangemagazine.com

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pix: carthagemagazine.com

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TUNISIA