The President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, has highlighted that the historic achievement of the national team, led by former coach Walid Rekraki at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, was not merely a sporting result. Rather, it represented a significant shift in the mentality of Moroccan football, putting an end to what he described as the 'participation for participation's sake' mindset that characterized the trajectory of national teams for many years.
During a speech at a ceremony honoring Rekraki, Lekjaa emphasized that the development of Moroccan football is progressing within the framework of royal directives and the strategy initiated by King Mohammed VI since the national sports symposium speech in 2008. This has been followed by special attention to sports infrastructure and the enhancement of training programs. He specifically noted the vital role that the Mohammed VI Football Academy plays in nurturing young talents for national teams.
He further stated that the coaching staff led by Rekraki embodied this strategic vision, asserting that the national team’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup in Qatar will be remembered as a historic milestone in Moroccan football history. This achievement is significant not only due to the result itself but also because of its impact on raising the aspirations of fans and players alike.
Lekjaa stressed that this new spirit has been reflected across various categories of national teams, pointing out that the dynamics created by the senior team have contributed to achieving other results in younger divisions, alongside the progress seen in women's football and futsal in recent years.
He indicated that the federation conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the national team’s journey in the month following the Africa Cup of Nations, covering various technical and organizational aspects related to the team. He noted that Walid Rekraki participated in this evaluation with a patriotic spirit, emphasizing his pride in being Moroccan. According to Lekjaa, Rekraki will continue to contribute to the development of national football in whatever capacity he serves.
In conclusion, the federation is not focused on building a new team or crafting a different system; rather, it is dedicated to continuing its work on enhancing the existing framework and nurturing the spirit of success within Moroccan football.
As reported by thevoice.ma.
