On Thursday, the new season of the Moroccan Professional Football League will commence, promising a thrilling and competitive atmosphere marked by significant player transfers and radical changes within coaching staffs. This season comes with high expectations as teams look to capitalize on the extensive modifications made during the summer, hoping to clinch the national title and shine on the continental stage.
Morocco's Fath Union Sport enters the new season as the reigning champion, having secured the title last year for the first time in 41 years, finishing just two points ahead of RS Berkane. The champions have not only maintained their core structure but have also made substantial signings to enhance their attacking line. They have brought in South African players Chigoziem Mabasaa and Devin Titus, along with young striker Narcisse Widraogo. These acquisitions quickly paid off as the team achieved a resounding 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso's Rahimo FC, advancing to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League to face Ivory Coast's ASEC Mimosas.
On the administrative side, the team will kick off its local campaign against Renaissance Zemamra next Sunday, amidst unexpected changes, including the resignation of club president Mohamed Bouzouba for personal reasons, with his deputy Ali Benjelloun temporarily stepping into the role.
RS Berkane and Cape Verde Coach's Ambitious Plans
To recover from the disappointment of losing the national title by a narrow margin and exiting the Champions League semifinals, RS Berkane has turned to Cape Verdean expertise, hiring coach Pedro Brito (Bobista), who was instrumental in leading Cape Verde to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup. To equip the coach for success, the management has signed veteran winger Ryan Mendes, the captain of his national team.
Transformations at Raja and Army Teams
In the capital, the Royal Army Club has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, revitalizing seven positions to support the squad of Portuguese coach Pedro Soares Gonçalves. The club has strengthened its defense with the addition of Nabil Marmouk and Salah Eddine Rahouli, while placing their offensive hopes on the experience of duo Mervil Ndoket and Jeff Kitambala to reclaim the missing trophy.
Conversely, Raja Casablanca is embarking on a completely new era under Spanish coach Paco Jémez. The club has initiated a revolution within its ranks, signing nine players simultaneously, including notable names like Romanian Marian Hojă, Brazilian Filipinho, and winger Younes Bakiz. This move aims to create a swift blend that meets the fervent aspirations of the "Green" fans for competitiveness in titles rather than settling for honorable placements.
Additionally, this season sees a remarkable Portuguese invasion, with six Portuguese coaches currently leading teams in the league, accounting for 37.5% of the managerial positions. These coaches include Rui Almeida (Fath Union Sport), Paulo Sergio (Wydad), Pedro Soares Gonçalves (Royal Army), Ricardo Formosinho (Fath Sporting), Jorge Paixão (Mouloudia Club of Meknes), and Ricardo Chiu (Hassania Agadir).
The season also marks the return of Moghreb Tétouan to the top division as champions of the second tier, where they will face RS Berkane in the opening round, joined by Wydad Témara and Amel Tiznit, the latter making its historic debut in the professional league.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
