AFCON
Beyond sports and Afcon, Morocco offers more for tourists and businessmen
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Morocco.
Excitements continue to build in Morocco as the clock ticks down to the commencement of big sporting activities in the kingdom. Now the Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations is holding in the country.
Next on the card is the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to be held in July and the biggest of them all, the continent’s sports flagship, the Africa Cup of Nations will be held in December and run through to January 2025.
It will be the first to be held in December and to spill into the following year. These offer a special flavour to what Morocco is offering.
Beyond having the best sporting facilities in the continent to host major events, even the World Cup in 2030, the kingdom is preparing to welcome fans, teams, and media from across the continent and beyond.
It is not just for sports, it also opens new business opportunities for people and opens the doors for all to see the explore the kingdom’s tourism potential.
The Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) has launched a dedicated promotional strategy to boost visibility across African markets.
It organised a major familiarization trip for travel professionals from key African countries. The visit also included two pan-African workshops connecting Moroccan operators with counterparts from markets such as Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Angola.
The essence, according to Ahmed Oumaarir, the head of the MNTO, is to co-develop tailored travel packages for those attending AFCON 2025 and also spotlight Morocco’s diverse tourism offering.
Ahmed Oumaarir, the head of the MNTO flanked by Nigerian journalists, Suleiman Uba Gaya (left) and Kunle Solaja.
Already, the kingdom has the potential to make it the ultimate tourism destination in Africa.
There was a coordinated tour of some major tourist centres in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and Agadir.
Those cities are full of historical and modern monuments and activities worth exploring. Marrakech which has back-to-back staged the annual CAF Awards in 2023 and 2024 offers more than just sports.
Casablanca is the commercial heartbeat of Morocco. It is famous for its white buildings.
The city is the home of two major Moroccan football teams, Raja Casablanca and Wydad Athletic Casablanca. The city hosted the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations final match where Nigeria lost 1-0 to Cameroon.
For the AFCON 2025, the city will host its first match on Christmas Eve when Burkina Faso will face Equatorial Guinea.
The third-place match is one of the eight duels to be hosted by the city. One of the biggest monuments to behold in the city is the Hassan II Mosque, completed in 1993.
It is standing partly over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and has a 210-metre minaret topped with lasers directed toward Mecca.
The majestic Hassan II Mosque is viewed from the Atlantic Ocean.
The Capital City of Rabat will host the opening and final matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The famous Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is undergoing almost complete remodelling.
A major area of interest is the Mohammed VI Football Complex which also houses the Moroccan National Team Football Museum.
An architectural masterpiece, the new offices of Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) are the latest addition to the sumptuous Mohammed VI Football Complex.
Setting the pace in documentation, the football museum stands to inspire current and future footballers while also paying tributes to past heroes.
The serene setting of the place offers good camping and medical facilities for teams. Within the area is also, the new headquarters of the new headquarters of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) which was inaugurated in July 2023.
“The excellent headquarters that we visited and the world-class stadiums and football infrastructure in Morocco are good examples of the success and accomplishments that can be achieved through partnerships between our African Governments and our National Football Associations”, CAF president, Dr. Patrice Motsepe remarked during the inauguration of the complex two years ago.
Hassan Kharbouchi, the director of the Mohammed VI Complex gave an overview of the project and enunciated the vision of King Mohammed VI.
As for the football museum, Zayd Ouakrim, the curator remarked that the complex was to illustrate the glorious past, the glowing present and the promising future.
In Marrakech, it was sheer excitement to experience the hot air balloon flight and float over 300 metres above the land and hills of the city of luxury with its famous medina.
The hot air balloon flights are spectacular and also refreshing offering a splendid experience.
There were over 30 flights at the time of experiencing the splendid activities. The flight commandant of the hot balloon that I took, Pierre Barre explained the mode of flight and the scenes below as the balloon flew majestically over some of the adjourning hills around Marrakech.
Hot Air balloon pilot, Pierre Barre (left) explains the thrills attendant to the adventure
At the end of the flights which take approximately an hour, tourists are given flight certificates as souvenirs. One of the hot air balloon flight companies has been ballooning over Marrakech’s rural areas, especially Oulad El Garn village since 1990.
According to the information gathered, most of the inhabitants earn their living from the proceeds of the air balloon activities, thus the project is contributing to the locals’ health care and sustainability.
So, AFCON teams and fans of South Africa, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Comoros, Gabon and Sudan have other activities to look out for while in Marrakech. Another activity is biking with the Marrakech Insiders for a different biking experience.
Getting a new biking experience in Marrakech.
Agadir is where the Atlas Mountains blend with sports facility
Agadir, set at the lower part of the range of the Atlas Mountains, is where Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Gabon will play some of their group matches, harbours some historical monuments that have turned the coastal city into a tourist attraction.
The stadium itself pays tribute to the range of mountains which in some places are snow-capped.
The Stade d’Agadir is shaped like the Atlas Mountains range.
The Grand Stade d’Agadir will host its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations match that pitches Egypt against Zimbabwe on 22 December, where the Atlas Mountains blend with a sports facility.
Visitors will see how a stadium is shaped in the form of a mountain. The exterior colour also blends with the brownish appearance of the mountains.
Agadir is where the ruins of the tragic 1960 earthquake were well documented and turned into a tourist attraction for visitors.
A tour guard offered some heart-wrenching recalls at the peak of the Kasbah, a historic fortress on a hilltop overlooking Agadir.
Pointing to a barren land below, he remarked: “This is where some of our great and grandparents are buried alive.”
The earthquake of 29 February 1960 wiped off about 15,000 people. That was about a third of the city’s population at the time. The earthquake occurred just some 20 minutes to midnight leading to high casualty as most were already in bed.
It is the most destructive and deadliest earthquake in Moroccan history. It destroyed nearly 90 percent of the ancient city of Agadir which historically dates back to 1325.
The ruins of the old city are now preserved with no building allowed as a tribute to the dead. Two years ago, the tourist potential of the place got a boost with the construction of Morocco’s first cable car system.
This offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.
The passage between the two cable car stations, with disengaged cabins, allows one to view the bay of Agadir.
Passengers embarking and disembarking from cable cars at the base station.
It takes a breathtaking six to seven minutes to move from the base station to the Kasbah, a historic fortress on a hilltop. The Kasbah, meaning “fortress” in Arabic, was built in 1572 to protect the port of Agadir.
It is a combination of thrill and fear as passengers find themselves dangling some 1,700 metres above the ground.
Each cabin of the 36 cars takes eight passengers hanging over 1,700 meters. The cable car project is part of the national strategy to promote investment in Morocco’s tourism sector. The ambitious project aims to strengthen and enhance existing tourism infrastructure while diversifying its offerings to increase the region’s appeal.
A panoramic view of Agadir from one of the cable cars.
Not done yet, in Agadir are two disused aircraft converted into hanging aeroplane restaurants overlooking the harbour and the majestic Atlantic Ocean.
The aircraft-turned-restaurant is set on hills, just behind the Kasbah. From other sources, Sports Village Square gathered the aeroplane restaurant will open to visitors in June this year, just in time for visitors and teams attending the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in July and December respectively.
Viewed from the Atlantic Ocean in a cruise boat, the hills on which the Kasbah is built have an Arabic inscription. Saad Allah Moudden, a member of the MNTO team translated it thus: “God, the Homeland (Morocco), the King.”
He explained that the inscription which is on the most visible parts of the Atlas range of mountains, forms the motto of Morocco where God is exulted, the Kingdom of Morocco and the King are revered. It is an expression of loyalty and patriotism.
According to Majida Chtioui, the trade manager at MNTO, the next activity is a European roadshow with the aim of targeting countries with strong African diaspora communities, connecting Moroccan tourism operators with specialized travel agents to further promote AFCON-related travel.
Through targeted communication and promotional efforts in key markets, MNTO aims to strengthen Morocco’s tourism appeal and elevate its image far beyond the African continent.
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AFCON
Morocco Rejects Claims of Delay, Defends Legal Process in Case Involving Senegalese Supporters
Morocco’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has firmly rejected allegations of unjustified delays and poor detention conditions in the ongoing case involving Senegalese football supporters arrested after unrest linked to a recent continental fixture in Rabat.
In an official clarification, judicial authorities described circulating claims as “unfounded,” insisting that the legal proceedings have been conducted in accordance with Moroccan law and international standards.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office categorically denied any suggestion that the case has been deliberately delayed. Authorities stated that all procedural timelines have been respected and that adjournments were made strictly within the framework of due process.
According to the statement, postponements of hearings were granted at the request of the defendants themselves to allow adequate time to prepare their defence and to ensure the presence of their legal representatives.
Judicial officials also dismissed reports alleging that the detainees were on hunger strike. They confirmed that the accused are receiving their meals regularly and that detention conditions comply with applicable regulations.
“The rumours suggesting otherwise are without basis,” the statement noted.
Authorities explained that one of the hearings was attended by a lawyer registered with a Bar Association in France. However, the absence of a consultation office in Morocco, coupled with the defendants’ preference to be tried in the presence of their chosen lawyers, led to a postponement of the hearing until February 12, 2026.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasised that these postponements were legitimate and aimed at safeguarding the defendants’ right to a fair trial.
Translation and Language Support
In response to concerns about language barriers, the court confirmed that it provided a sworn French-language interpreter during proceedings. French is reportedly mastered by all defendants.
Additionally, authorities coordinated with the Deputy Consul of Senegal in Morocco to make available an interpreter in Wolof, the defendants’ mother tongue, further ensuring that they fully understood the proceedings.
Officials also clarified that Moroccan law does not require the presence of an interpreter during the preliminary investigation phase if the judicial police officer understands the language of the individual concerned, provided that official reports are read and explained to them.
The Moroccan authorities reiterated their commitment to transparency, due process and the protection of the rights of all foreign nationals within the kingdom.
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A Moroccan court on Thursday sentenced 18 Senegalese football supporters to prison terms ranging from three to 12 months after finding them guilty of hooliganism during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
The supporters had been in pre-trial detention since 18 January, the day Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 in a tense and controversial final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
According to the court’s ruling, nine of the defendants received one-year prison sentences and were fined 5,000 Moroccan dirhams (approximately $545). Six others were handed six-month terms alongside fines of 2,000 dirhams (about $218), while three supporters were sentenced to three months in prison and fined 1,000 dirhams (around $109).
Prosecutors had sought a maximum penalty of two years, arguing that the accused “deliberately sought to disrupt the proper conduct of the match” and engaged in “acts of violence broadcast live on television.”
Chaos at the Final
The AFCON final was overshadowed by dramatic scenes late in regulation time following a contentious penalty awarded to Morocco after a VAR review. Senegalese players protested the decision vehemently, surrounding the referee and causing play to be halted for nearly 20 minutes.
Amid the tension, some Senegalese supporters reportedly attempted to invade the pitch, while others threw objects — including chairs — onto the field. Players from both sides temporarily left the pitch before returning after intervention from security officials and match authorities.
Authorities said their case was supported by stadium surveillance footage and medical reports detailing injuries sustained by security personnel during the unrest.
However, defence lawyers rejected the charges and described the sentences as excessive.
“The footage does not contain irrefutable proof showing that any one of them struck or assaulted anyone,” defence counsel Naima El Guellaf told the court.
Another lawyer, Patrick Kabou, called the verdict “incomprehensible,” arguing that his clients were “victims” rather than perpetrators. The defence team has confirmed plans to file an appeal.
The ruling comes as football authorities continue to grapple with the fallout from a final that, despite Senegal’s historic victory, was overshadowed by controversy both on and off the pitch.
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French coach Herve Renard has reopened the debate around the controversial “towel incident” that marred the closing stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
Renard, who previously coached Morocco and now manages the Saudi Arabia national football team, addressed the episode in a recent interview with Jeune Afrique, describing it as a complex issue rooted partly in African football culture.
“The towel story is long and complicated. It has a certain significance, that’s all,” Renard said. He suggested that, if anyone attempted to remove the towel, it could have been intended to unsettle the opponent psychologically.
“In Europe, people don’t understand that there is something behind it. Was the towel charmed? In Africa, these are beliefs, and everyone is free to believe what they want,” he added.
Renard stressed that cultural context is often overlooked by outsiders. “Those who don’t know Africa cannot understand. In this case, Moroccans would never allow anyone to cross that line,” he said, while admitting he was unsure whether events unfolded exactly as widely portrayed. Drawing from his extensive coaching experience across the continent, he noted that similar charged atmospheres are not uncommon in high-stakes African fixtures.
The incident occurred during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final in Rabat, where Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 to lift the continental crown.
Late in the match, attention shifted away from the ball to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel, which had been placed inside his goal to dry his gloves amid wet conditions. As tensions rose in the closing minutes, substitute goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf attempted to safeguard the towel, resulting in a chaotic scene inside the penalty area.
Television footage — quickly dubbed a “towel tussle” — showed Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari blocking Diouf as he tried to return the towel to Mendy, while a ball boy also reached for it. Diouf later insisted he had merely been assisting Mendy and had no intention of disrupting play.
Images circulating after the match appeared to show Moroccan players attempting to remove the towel, sparking a heated debate. Some observers viewed it as gamesmanship designed to unsettle the Senegalese goalkeeper, while others linked the episode to longstanding superstitious beliefs within segments of African football culture.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee subsequently sanctioned Saibari with a two-match suspension and a $100,000 fine. The midfielder later apologised to Mendy, stating that his actions had been misunderstood.
CAF’s refereeing chief, Olivier Safari, also addressed the matter in an interview with Canal+ Afrique.
“The towel is not part of a goalkeeper’s official equipment. Its use must remain within the spirit of fair play,” Safari explained. “If it influences the match, it must be removed from the playing area.”
His comments underscored the regulatory grey area surrounding auxiliary items such as towels, which are not formally recognised as playing equipment under the Laws of the Game but are commonly used for practical reasons.
While the final result stands and Senegal’s victory remains uncontested, the towel episode has lingered in public discourse — not merely as a fleeting controversy, but as a symbol of the psychological and cultural layers that often accompany African football.
Renard’s remarks add nuance to the debate, suggesting that what may appear trivial to some can carry deeper meaning in different footballing contexts.
Nearly a year after Senegal’s triumph in Rabat, the “towel incident” continues to provoke reflection, less about fabric inside a goalmouth, and more about the intersection of belief, psychology and competition at the highest level of African football.
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