Casablanca – In an inspiring tale of resilience, Moroccan futsal international Soufiane Chaaraoui recently disclosed that a persistent foot injury nearly sidelined him from the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), just days before he played a crucial role in helping Morocco reach their fourth consecutive continental final. Speaking to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following Morocco's impressive 6-0 semifinal victory over Egypt, Chaaraoui, who currently plays in the Netherlands, revealed that his participation in the tournament was uncertain until the last moment.
“I wasn’t in good shape. I had a problem with my foot for three months,” Chaaraoui shared, emphasizing the challenges he faced during his preparation at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. Initially left out of the squad, he received medical clearance just one day prior to the tournament's commencement. Despite his efforts to stay fit, injury concerns resurfaced during the group stage, particularly when he encountered a setback against Zambia on October 14, leading to his exclusion from the final group match against Libya for further evaluations.
Fortunately, Chaaraoui made a remarkable recovery in time to participate in the semifinal clash against Egypt, where he played a vital role in Morocco’s dominant performance at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Hall in Rabat. “I’m very thankful to the medical staff and the coach for those four days,” he expressed to CAF, noting his return to form and renewed confidence as he pledged to fight for his country.
Morocco’s Ambitions Remain Unwavering
Beyond his personal journey back to fitness, Chaaraoui underscored the importance of maintaining Morocco's status as a powerhouse in African futsal, which demands relentless effort even after securing three consecutive continental titles. “It’s difficult to become good, but more difficult to stay good, so we train a lot and the coach talks with us a lot,” he elaborated. Under the guidance of coach Hicham Dguig, Morocco has showcased exceptional performance throughout the tournament, winning every match without conceding a single goal. The Atlas Lions triumphed over Algeria 4-0, Zambia 7-0, and Libya 6-0 during the group stages, culminating in a commanding 6-0 victory against Egypt in the semifinals, amassing an impressive total of 23 goals in four matches.
Chaaraoui attributed the team’s remarkable consistency to their rigorous preparation, unity, and the unwavering support from passionate Moroccan fans. “We fight for each other, we die for each other. We have the best fans in the world, and we can’t let them down. We give everything to make them proud,” he stated emphatically. As Morocco gears up to face Angola in the final on Wednesday, a rematch of the 2024 title decider where Morocco emerged victorious with a score of 5-1, the players are driven by the desire to make history. Angola secured their place in the final after staging a comeback from a two-goal deficit to defeat Algeria 3-2 in the other semifinal.
With prior victories in the continental championship in 2016, 2020, and 2024, another triumph would establish Morocco as the first nation to clinch four Futsal AFCON titles. “Our mindset is to win the cup here, and we’ll do everything to prepare for the final,” Chaaraoui declared confidently, as the team prepares for the decisive match scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, at 8 p.m. Moroccan time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Hall in Rabat.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
