Morocco Football: Inside the $70 million Mohammed VI Football Complex

$70 million Mohammed VI Football Complex 

Morocco football is on the lips of many football lovers across the world, after their heroics at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

The team defeated Portugal by 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup to become the first African team to qualify for the semi-finals in the history of the World Cup. 

The jinx is still being celebrated all over the continent of Africa with commentators and analysts waxing lyrical about their success and explaining how Morocco got to the enviable position of playing in the semi-final of the world cup.

One of the reasons alluded to this great feat is the whopping 70 million US dollars in the construction of the Mohammed VI football complex which was commissioned in 2019.

 

Three years after the completion of the massive edifice, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has started reaping its humongous investments in infrastructure and talent development. 

 

Apart from being part of the remaining four teams left in Qatar, to jostle for the ultimate prize, the 2022 men’s and women’s African Champions League titles are currently held by Moroccan clubs -  Wydad Athletics Casablanca and ASFAR respectively.

RS Berkane, another Morrocan club is the holder of the CAF Confederations Cup. 

The home-based Atlas Lions is also the winner of the CHAH Championship and are also poised to defend the 2023 edition in Algeria.

The women's national team qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time and came second in this year's Women's Africa Cup of Nations, the highest position the country ever attained in the competition.

The Mohammed VI Football Complex is a constant mention anytime the topic of discussion is the successes of Morrocco at both continental and intercontinental competitions. 

 

The football complex is situated on 30 hectares of land, near Rabat. 

It has house pitches, hotels and accommodations, and a world-class medical center. 

The complex four natural grass football fields are a sight to behold. 

The complex also has three artificial football fields, a covered football pitch, a hybrid football field, and a re-training room that can host futsal matches.

It also has an outdoor Olympic-sized pool, two tennis courts, and a Beach Soccer field. 

The accommodation facilities have a five-star hotel, two three-star hotels, and dormitories.

The accommodation can accommodate has 66 rooms and 4 suites. It also has a 150-bed capacity and an 80 bed-capacity, with 54 rooms with dormitories respectively. 

The complex also has a 221-seater auditorium to host various events (conferences, film screenings), and administrative buildings.

This can serve as a camp for all the teams as well as a campsite for local football teams while preparing for major championships. 

The state-of-the-art Mohammed VI complex has an ultra-modern sports and performance medical center 

The medical center has physiotherapy, stress testing, dentistry, ophthalmology, trauma, psychology, podiatry, nutritional medicine, radiology, ultrasound, electrotherapy, bone densitometry, cryotherapy, and an emergency mobile medical unit. 

 

Africa and the World should prepare for more success from Morrocco on the field of play as this edifice guarantees that Moroccan football has finally joined the elite league, and winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup can just be a starting point for more to come.

NPFL Super 4 Prize Money: How 3SC shared the 100 million prize among participating teams

Shooting Stars Clear Air on 100,000,000 Naira Prize Money

The management of the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, wishes to clear the air on the prize money of the just concluded NPFL/Doxy Mmobuosi Super Cup Football Tournament. 

Contrary to the belief that 3SC got the whole 100,000,000 nairas, being the winner of the 4-team tourney, we wish to state that the club only got 50,000,000 nairas as the champions.

We will like to inform all that the organizers doled out 100,000,000 nairas to the club, as seen in the cheque presented to the Oluyole Warriors.

However, there was a mutual agreement between the four participating clubs, before the commencement of the tourney, that whoever emerges as the winner, will part with fifty percent of the money, to be shared by the other three teams.

This was done in the spirit of sportsmanship and also to douse the tension which could attend the tourney if it were to be a winner takes all situation and to ensure that all the participating teams have something to take home, no matter how small.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by the four clubs to back up the agreement.

Based on this, Shooting Stars, who won the tourney got 50,000,000 nairas, the first runner-up, Enyimba FC got 25,000,000 nairas,  while third-placed Bendel Insurance and fourth-placed Rangers International got 15,000,000 nairas and 10,000,000 nairas respectively.

This was purely an arrangement between the four clubs, outside that of the organizers, hence the presence of a 100,000,000 naira check to Shooting Stars after the final match.

NWFL: Lucky seeks Bayelsa Queens' scalp as Heartland Queens go after first win of the season

Heartland Queens won’t lose to Bayelsa, says Lucky

Heartland Queens’ all-time top scorer, Lucky Mary has voiced her conviction and preparedness to change her side’s fortune at the ongoing 2022/2023 NWFL Premiership.

The Owerri side will be on the road at the reigning champions and Africa’s third best team, Bayelsa Queens on Wednesday at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa for matchday 3 action.

The two sides who will be meeting each other for the first time in a competitive match had mixed experiences in matchday 2 while the Prosperity Girls enjoyed a well-deserved rest the Owerri landladies were stretched to the limit and benched by perennial rivals and visitors, Delta Queens right there at their hallowed ground, Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

The Owerri torchbearers are still without a point in the two-week old topflight after going down 1-3 in Abuja to Naija Ratels in the season’s opening matchday 1 clash.

Lucky whose match winner secured the gold for Team Imo in the women football event at the just concluded 21st National Sports Festival (NSF) in Asaba, Delta state assured that her side will harvest fruitfully at the backyard of the opponents, Bayelsa Queens.

“We are going into the match as underdogs and I’m comfortable with that tag as it’s capable of removing pressure from us.

“We will play our normal game, we will be natural and take our chances when it comes.

“Yeah, two matches without a win is not really good going into this crucial league match but we are going to change all that with the clash at Yenagoa.

“We are aware this match will be our last for the year and we will not want to go into the New Year without a point.

“And where do we hope for the point(s) if not in Yenagoa so we are not going to lose to Bayelsa Queens.

“The game will be tough given the pedigree of the home side, we have told ourselves not to go back to Owerri empty-handed.

“I missed action against Delta Queens, I want to make up for the sore miss in Yenagoa, I give you my word - we will not lose in Yenagoa,” said the potent goal poacher.

Heartland Queens will be on bye on matchday 4 and will be resuming league action in the New Year against multiple champions, Rivers Angels.

U20 AFCON: 6 foreign-based players that could help Flying Eagles pick World Cup ticket in Egypt

So far, only home-based players have been training under the watchful eyes of coach Ladan Bosso but the team can be better with the addition of good legs plying their trade outside the shores of the country. 

The U20 Africa Cup of Nations will take place from 18th February to 12th March 2023 in Egypt.

The top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup scheduled to place in Indonesia from 20th May to 11th June next year.  

In the last 16 days, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been sweating it out at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch in Abuja.

So far, only home-based players have been training under the watchful eyes of coach Ladan Bosso. 

Below are six foreign-based players who could help the team in Egypt. 

6. Abel Ogwuche [Trelleborg]

Ogwuche is a symbol of the new direction Trelleborg has taken in Sweden. Developed by Tripple 44, Trelleborg invested heavily to make his move permanent this summer after the successful loan spell of the central defender.

His games are a lovely blend of calmness and aggression. He reads the game well and seems to have a good grasp of when to push wide or press up to extinguish dangerous attacks. The lad has good height at 

5. Ahmed Abdullahi [Jong KAA Gent] 

Playing for Jong KAA Gent has done wonders for HB Academy product Ahmed Abdullahi, who has played four games this season.

The 19-year-old is looking like a machine in Belgium and undeniably earning himself some Jong minutes so far. Fast and energetic. Bosso doesn't dull.

4. Lekan Oyedele [Feirense U19]

Oyedele is a very promising athlete - he moves around the pitch comfortably and has room to fill out, possessing dynamic changes of pace with a good burst off his back foot. He has good body control in general, is agile, and is well-balanced in most situations, while he is fairly robust in contact and able to withstand challenges. The Remo Stars product is a left-back.

3. Ereku Temitayo [Brooke House FA]

Hopes have been high for Ereku for a while now. The central defender plays for Brooke House FA in the United Kingdom.

The 19-year-old has been sensational and shouldn't have any issue getting a shirt in the Flying Eagles squad.

2. Innocent Christian [Ankara Keçiörengücü U19]

If there is an in-form player capable of creating and scoring goals for the Flying Eagles at the AFCON, then that person is Innocent Christian.

The 18-year-old has been an absolute hit since joining Ankara Keçiörengücü U19 in the summer. The attacking midfielder has scored four goals and provided three assists in eight appearances, quickly proving himself as one of the country's most promising prospects in the midfield. He can play left back too.

1. Olubi Adams [FK Zalgiris Vilnius]

Of all the names on this list, Adams's involvement in the 2023 U20 AFCON seems the most certain. He's already a regular for Flying Eagles and is still going from strength to strength.

The attack is perhaps the strongest area in Bosso's squad and the FK Zalgiris Vilnius youngster is one of the stand-out names.

Adam is a strong dribbler under pressure with impressive coordination between technical skill and athleticism. He has a good sense of his surroundings and is adept at freezing opponents with intelligent body movements to create time and space.

CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers United gets tough opponents as CAF unveils group stage draws

Rivers United, Nigeria's representative in the Confederation of African Football ( CAF) Confederation Cup has been drawn into a tough group as the draws were held in Cairo on Monday.

The ceremony was attended by a host of guests including Angolan legend Flavio Amado, Tunisians Aymen Mathlouthi and Mejdi Traoui, and Moroccan Ghizlane Chebbak. 

Former Zambian international Christopher Katongo who played in the tournament during his active years conducted the draw under the guidance of CAF Competitions Director Samson Adamu.

Rivers United was drawn in group B alongside African club football powerhouses, DC Motema Pembe, Asec Mimosa of Cote d'Ivoire, and Diable Noirs of Congo. 

The Nigerian side will be attempting to become the first Nigerian side to win the competition since it was rebranded into the new format 25 years ago.  

The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup draws have the following  groups

 

Group A: USMA (Algeria), Marumo Gallants (South Africa), Al Akhder (Libya), St Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo) 

Group B: ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire), Diables Noirs (Congo), Rivers United (Nigeria), DC* Motema Pembe (DR Congo) 

Group C: Pyramids FC (Egypt), ASKO de kara (Togo), Future FC (Egypt), ASFAR (Morocco) 

Group D: TP Mazembe (DR Congo), US Monastir (Tunisia), Young Africans (Tanzania), AS Real Bamako (Mali)

 

The matches will be played in a round format among the teams in each group on a home and away basis according to the following schedule:

Matchday 1: 12 February 2023

Matchday 2: 19 February 2023

Matchday 3: 26 February 2023

Matchday 4: 8 March 2023

Matchday 5: 19 March 2023

Matchday 6: 2 April 2023 

The first two teams in each group will proceed to the quarter-finals.

36 Lion Football Club chief, Liameed Gafar receives Ladi Kwali Leadership award

The President of 36 Lion Football Club, Hajj Olawale Liameed Gafar, Monday, received the Ladi Kwali Platinum Leadership Award of Excellence as "Icon of Women Development." 

According to the organizers, the nomination came as a result of the 36 Lion Chief's philanthropic gestures and ability to work with different people irrespective of their tribe and religious inclination.

"Hajj Gafar's empowerment of youths and women in the area of skills acquisition and mentorship impressed the panelists to deem him worthy of the award," National Coordinator of National Youth for Women Empowerment and Education Development in Nigeria Ambassador Ibrahim Ibrahim added.

The talent developer is one of the most successful grassroots administrators in Nigeria with a series of successful international transfer deals by 36 Lion.

He was the brain behind the recently concluded 2022 Jagaban Cup which was a success.

The Award was presented to Hajj Olawale Liameed Gafar by Ambassador Ibrahim Ibrahim at the office of 36 Lion Football Club in the National Stadium on Monday.

Governor Dapo Abiodun calls for grassroots sports development

Abiodun calls for grassroots sports development 

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun has called for the development of sports at the grassroots level in the country.

 The governor said that the current challenges the country is facing sustaining its competitive sports reputation as a regional, continental, and global champion can only be addressed in the long term when the country returns to grassroots sports.

Abiodun made this call during the 3rd Edition of the Ogun State Public Primary Schools Governor's Cup Competition held at the M.K.O International Stadium, Abeokuta.

He opined that sports provide a veritable platform for the development of everyone and a wholesome education plan.

"Sports provide a veritable platform for the development of all of us and a wholesome education plan, the hosting of this Governor's Cup has allowed all participants to widen the horizon for knowledge and Sports activities.

"Apart from the development of skills in our youths, grassroots sports are essential to provide an array of sports men and women for competitive events at all levels.

"The current challenge we have in sustaining our national competitive sports reputation at regional, continental and global levels will be addressed in the long term when we return to grassroots sports.

"It is instructive to note that most of the former and current thriving sportsmen and women such as Segun Odegbami, Felix Owolabi, Akeem 'The Dream' Olajuwon, Falilat Ogunkoya and so many others, were those that were made at this level, including our latest current world record holder, Tobi Amusan, they were all discovered through local competitive sporting events such as this," he said.

Abiodun while calling on well-meaning investors and individuals to come and partner with the state government in the development of sports, said that it is important for the country to begin to nurture the younger and agile generation to be able to compete internationally.

"I, therefore, call on well-meaning investors and individuals to come and partner with us, you will find us willing and ready partners, 

"We cannot afford to continue to rely on aging sportsmen and women, we must begin to nurture our young agile ones to compete internationally.

"Let me assure our stakeholders in the sporting industry that our administration will continue to support sports, not just football as an avenue to harness the raw energy of our youths," he stated.

Governor Dapo Abiodun while acknowledging the efforts of Team Ogun who recently won 70 medals comprising 15 gold, 18 silver, and 37 Bronze medals at the just concluded National Sports Festival held in Delta State, promised that the state apart from aiming to host the best sports festival ever would also ensure that it comes first.

The governor also urged the pupils to eschew all forms of violence during and after competitions.

In his address, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education, Chief Femi Majekodunmi, while appreciating the governor for his support which ensured the success of the competition, said that the board would continue to play its role of nurturing talents from the primary school level.

Majekodunmi who also noted that the competition was introduced by the Board to build the pupils, said that the conception and implementation of school sports help to instill patience, and teamwork into the lives of future leaders.

The state chairman of the National Association of Primary Schools Games and Sports Teachers (NAPSGAST), Opedimeji Ola, while noting that sports in general and football in particular a unifying factor and the panacea to the socio-security challenges that have bedeviled the country in recent times, said that the just concluded Ogun State Sports Festival for all public primary schools and the 3rd Edition of the Ogun State Governor's Cup for primary schools have shown that talents abound in the country.

Opedimeji expressed his happiness at the display of quality football by the pupils on the field of play and appealed to corporate bodies and wealthy individuals to see sport as a golden investment and service to humanity.

The Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde, while noting that the technical team of the ministry was on the ground to pick as well as nurture talents discovered at the competition, commended Governor Abiodun for his support to the ministry at the just concluded National Sports Festival just concluded in Delta State.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, who was represented by the Director of School Sports, Olarotimi Okeleye commended the governor for supporting the hosting of the competition.