Think Forward.

Hakimi Achraf n'est pas ballon d'Or 2024, la CAF désavouée? 1995

Aziz Daouda, 7 mon.
4 min read.
Nous sommes le lendemain de la cérémonie des « African Awards de football ». Une cérémonie célébrée avec brio et surtout vécue avec un fast sublimé au maximum à Marrakech…Une cérémonie que seul le Maroc, à sa façon millénaire, est capable de délivrer à un niveau frôlant la perfection. Ce fut une belle soirée à laquelle le brio et la brillance d’un Jalal Bouzrara au summum de son art et sa coéquipière un peu dépassée mais bien nantie, vont donner un bon rythme que seules les turbulences d’un président à la veste déboutonnée, le ventre pendant et l’habit très loin de respecter la circonstance vont de temps à autre déranger. Infantino lui-même était mal à l’aise subissant à souhait les mains galopantes d’un président qui joue à être plus africain que les africains. Son regard et des fois ses grimaces trahissaient son flegme pour laisser comprendre au Président de la CAF que ce n’était point comme cela qu’il faille agir dans une cérémonie suivie à travers le monde, le monde africain au moins. La salle est comble et bon nombre d’invités applaudissaient mécaniquement des trophées remis par ci par là à la meilleure ceci ou au meilleur cela. L’impression de l’autre côté de l’écran était celle de ces émissions de télévision ou un chauffeur de salle, un ambianceur, ordonne à l’assistance bien triée d’applaudir à son rythme et d’arrêter en fonction du timing choisi par le réalisateur. Non pas que les personnes ou les équipes primées n’eurent été légitimes à recevoir les trophées qui leur étaient décernés mais la façon de les annoncer par des stars ou moins stars n’a pas toujours été réussie. A chaque fois on a voulu jouer le suspense et la surprise alors qu’il n’y en avait pas lieu. L’évidence était là et bien là. Quelle équipe pouvait-on primer sinon celle de Côte d’Ivoire qui a délivré une coupe d’Afrique des plus palpitantes. Quelle autre entraineur femme pouvait être primée par exemple sinon la courageuse Lamia Boumehdi. Il n’y a pas pire dans un tel contexte, pour le spectacle, que de surjouer la surprise devant l’évidence. Dans de telles circonstances à un moment donné, l’ennui finit par s’installer et l’assistance de se lasser. Le Président de la CAF le ressent et une fois sur scène, encore une fois, va se pourfendre d’excuses à peine déguisées ; I know we are late… Il fait semblant de vouloir faire vite mais finit par retarder davantage les choses au grand dam de l’ami Jalal Bouzrara qui voyait ainsi son conducteur mal mené. En fait et cela se comprend parfaitement, tous dans la salle, comme nous tous derrière nos écrans par ailleurs, attendions un seul moment, le moment : Celui de l’annonce du meilleur jouer africain de l’année. C’est le seul et unique trophée dont on se rappelle des années plus loin et qui marque de telles cérémonies et les valorise. S’il venait à être annoncé en début de festivité, il est quasi certain qu’immédiatement après les salles se videraient très vite. Marrakech n’a pas fait exception. Le suspense fut maintenu par des choix musicaux sans doute discutables sinon par ceux les ayant recommandés. A chacun son gout. En un instant la sale se transforma en une mosquée et une cathédrale bien silencieuse. A chacun ses convictions mais le football réunit tout le monde autour de six litres d’air. Le moment attendu était bien arrivé cette fois ci. Toujours de la part des deux patrons du foot présents, celui du monde et celui de l’Afrique on annonça non sans quelques façons, le nom du ballon d’or africain pour l’année 2024. Le silence fut pesant un instant avant que quelques voix ne scandent le nom de Hakimi, des voix de plus en plus nombreuses. La douche est froide pour le clan marocain mais pas que. La CAF se retrouve désavouée. Le choix n’est pas le bon. Non pas que le joueur choisi ne soit pas méritant mais Hakimi est sans doute plus méritant pour plus d’une raison, aussi objectives les unes que les autres. Des questions se sont alors imposées de facto. Comment se fait-il que le ballon d’or ne soit pas revenu à un marocain à la suite de la Coupe du Monde du Qatar en 2022. Comment se fait que le trophée de 2023 ne soit pas revenu à Bounou et bien évidemment comment est-ce que le ballon d’or ne soit pas revenu à un des joueurs marocains ayant remporté le bronze aux jeux olympiques en l’occurrence ici Hakimi patron imposant et efficace de cette équipe. C’est là que des hypothèses et des questions peuvent être avancées. Les votants ont-ils quelque chose à reprocher aux joueurs marocains. Ne les perçoivent-ils pas comme suffisamment africains alors qu’ils le sont au même titre que les autres. Peut-être aussi et surtout que certains, sans doute une minorité mais pesant sur le vote, font l’amalgame avec ce qui se passe ça et là et dont sont victimes certains subsahariens. Le concept, laborieux, creux et non fondé de Maghreb ne pousse-t-il pas à faire l’amalgame entre tous les habitants de l’Afrique du Nord, sachant que des dirigeants de certaines contrées nord africaines se sont égarés dans des propos inacceptables à l’encontre des subsahariens et que d’autres ont eu des agissements plutôt inhumains visant de pauvres gens, poussés malgré eux à migrer du sud du Sahara vers le nord, en quête d’une vie meilleure. Des propos tenus ailleurs, des exactions commises ailleurs à des milliers de kilomètres du Royaume du Maroc. Ce ne sont là que des hypothèses que certains vont trouver déplacées ou infondées mais elles peuvent être discutées et démenties si elles n’étaient pas vérifiées. C’est là qu’il faut peut-être vite dire et préciser que le Maroc est le pays d’Afrique du Nord qui compte le plus de migrants, plus de 148 milles en 2024, avec une augmentation annuelle de 5.6% soit un bond spectaculaire de 71.86% en dix années seulement. Le Royaume est un pays de destination et de transit. Il a mis en place une véritable politique de soutien et d’intégration de ces populations migrantes. Le Pays s’est engagé pleinement dans le pacte mondial pour des migrations sures, ordonnées et régulières. C’est à ce titre que régulièrement sont régularisés des nombres importants de migrants notamment subsahariens qui jouissent ainsi des mêmes droits que les citoyens marocains. Voilà qui est dit au cas où... En tout cas ce matin les marocains, à juste titre ne sont pas contents et comprennent encore mieux la colère de Venicius et le Réal Madrid. Hakimi méritait amplement d’être Ballon d’or africain 2024.
Aziz Daouda

Aziz Daouda

Directeur Technique et du Développement de la Confédération Africaine d'Athlétisme. Passionné du Maroc, passionné d'Afrique. Concerné par ce qui se passe, formulant mon point de vue quand j'en ai un. Humaniste, j'essaye de l'être, humain je veux l'être. Mon histoire est intimement liée à l'athlétisme marocain et mondial. J'ai eu le privilège de participer à la gloire de mon pays .


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Morocco, History, and Geography: The Foundations of Political Reality and Territorial Integrity... 230

Aziz Daouda, 1 d.
Politics cannot be separated from history or geography. It consists of a set of actions and decisions aimed at organizing a society internally, as well as in its relations with the rest of the world. It is always situated within a context shaped by the two fundamental dimensions of history and geography, which are by no means mere backdrops but rather provide the framework within which political projects, conflicts, and developments unfold. Politics may be influenced by an ideology—born of a philosophy—or simply shaped by a given context, but such influence rarely lasts. History plays a fundamental role in understanding political phenomena. A country’s institutions, laws, and values are rooted in its collective memory, an inheritance made up of major events, breaks, or continuities with the past. Borders, for example, are often drawn following wars or treaties, the outcome of ancient or recent conflicts. They remain visible marks of past rivalries, defeats, victories, and compromises. Relations—whether of solidarity or rivalry—between nations, regions, or communities are explained in light of shared or divergent histories. The present Kingdom of Morocco cannot be understood without reference to its millennial origins, to the centuries-old Sharifian Empire, nor to the successive dynasties that shaped its relationship to religion, allegiance, and the centralization of power throughout different eras. Similarly, geography significantly influences the choices and constraints of public policies. The distribution of natural resources conditions economic development, territorial organization, and power relations. Relief, climate, and access to maritime routes determine possibilities for urbanization, agriculture, communication, and defense. Border situations impose specific diplomatic and security policies, while landlocked or insular areas require tailored strategies. Some authors even describe Morocco as an “island country” due to its geographical configuration. It is therefore inconceivable to conceive of effective or legitimate politics without taking history and geography into account. Every choice, reform, or political ambition must be based on a deep understanding of the territory and collective memory; ignoring one or the other exposes one to illusion, misunderstanding, or even failure. Regarding the Sahara, referred to as the “Western Sahara,” the geography of this region is undeniably contiguous to Morocco, physically, demographically, and historically: the Saharan populations have largely contributed to the country’s evolution. Its history was written through the successive allegiances of its tribes to the sultans of Morocco, and the Sharifian kingdom thus constitutes a nation-state established long before the contemporary era. Weakened by having missed the crucial turn of the industrial revolution, the Sharifian Empire was dissected from south to north, but also from the east. The so-called Western Sahara was annexed by Spain, which exercised colonial control there from 1884 to 1975. This situation facilitated France’s domination over territories grouped into French West Africa, part of which later became Mauritania. France also appropriated the eastern part of the Sharifian Empire, annexed de facto to its departments conquered from the Ottoman Empire and called French Algeria. The remainder was placed under French protectorate, while northern Morocco came under Spanish rule. Independence, achieved in 1956, and the gradual decolonization of Sidi Ifni and Tarfaya concerned other regions only later. On November 28, 1960, France authorized the proclamation of Mauritania’s independence—a region then claimed by Morocco, as were territories under Spanish control that Morocco considered its own. At that time, there was a Moroccan ministry called the “Ministry of Mauritanian and Saharan Affairs,” headed by Mohammed Fal Ould Oumeir, a representative of those territories. From 1963 onwards, the kingdom raised the issue of the Spanish Sahara before the Decolonization Commission. The situation became complicated when newly created Mauritania also claimed the territory, notably to pressure Morocco, which did not recognize Mauritanian independence until 1969—nine years after its proclamation. Morocco continued to claim the Spanish Sahara peacefully, preventing the Liberation Army from pursuing military actions in the region. In 1973, the creation of the Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro) marked a new stage. This movement initially aimed to unite the Saharan territory with the “motherland.” But in a context of regional rivalries and ideological tensions, the Saharan question was instrumentalized by various actors. Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya played a decisive role in the rise of the separatist Polisario, supporting and arming the movement in a "revolutionary" and pan-Arabist logic, while seeking to destabilize the Moroccan monarchy. Later, Gaddafi himself admitted having made a “strategic mistake” in backing this group, which remains a destabilizing factor in the region today. In 1975, a peaceful turning point occurred: bolstered by the International Court of Justice’s opinion recognizing ties of allegiance between Saharan tribes and Moroccan sultans, the late King Hassan II launched the Green March to general surprise. This mobilization pushed Spain to withdraw from Laâyoune in favor of Morocco, which immediately reclaimed the territory. Mauritania, although having occupied adjacent zones, ultimately withdrew, leaving Morocco alone against the Polisario Front, actively supported by Algeria, which hosted, armed, financed, and elevated the movement into a “republic.” Houari Boumédiène’s Algeria exploited the situation to weaken its Moroccan neighbor, even calling the Saharan issue a “thorn in Morocco’s side,” a way of exacting revenge for the crushing defeat in 1963. This dispute has often overshadowed the deep history of ties between Morocco and these territories under Sharifian authority well before the colonial era. For Morocco, territorial integrity rests firmly on the constants of history and geography—major arguments. The rest is merely a temporary construction without foundation, destined to fade into oblivion in the near future. Moroccans know this very well… Perhaps not everyone else…

Ahmed Faras: The Eternal Legend of Moroccan Football 455

Aziz Daouda, 3 d.
3 min read.
I have been fortunate enough to know Ahmed Faras. It is unbearable for me to speak of him in the past tense, someone who has been part of my life for so long. It had been ages since he last touched a ball. Few are still alive who saw him play, those who, match after match, would await his dribble, his runs down the wing, his shot, his goal. Faras was an outstanding man, with an incredible shyness and reserve. Even when present somewhere, he was always on the sidelines: discreet, courteous, kind, with deep sensitivity, affection, and great touchiness. But Faras will always be part of the present. He is a true legend of Moroccan and African football; legends never die. Fedala saw him born in the cold of December 1947. Mohammedia would be his city and Chabab his eternal club. At the time, there was no such thing as a transfer market, no migrations, no football mercenary spirit. You were born in a club, learned to play there, and you stayed. His temperament was not that of a typical striker: there was no aggressiveness, no cunning. He compensated with his genius and never needed to dive or roll on the ground to sway a referee or create confusion. His genius spared him all that. He was an exceptional striker who marked the history of Moroccan and continental football. The turf at El Bachir football stadium helped him, at that time, it was the best in Morocco. Ahmed Faras was the product of a generation shaped by the structured environment of the youth sports schools run by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, a system supposedly dismantled by so-called administrative and political reforms. Yet, it was there that Morocco's champions were formed, across all sports. His early path was marked by the guidance of renowned trainers such as Lakhmiri, who helped shape numerous Moroccan talents. This solid foundation allowed him to develop technical skills and a sense of teamwork very early on, which would become hallmarks of his play. Ahmed Faras spent his entire career at Chabab Mohammedia, from 1965 to 1982, never having a professional contract—such things didn’t exist in Morocco then. There’s no need to mention signing bonuses or performance awards, even with the national team. His loyalty to Chabab is remarkable. He would lead the club to a Moroccan championship and become its top scorer. He would bring along with him his playing friends—Acila, Glaoua, Haddadi, and many more. Faras was a pillar of the Moroccan national team. With 36 goals in 94 caps, what a historic scorer for the Atlas Lions! He captained the national team for eight years, playing in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico and the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. In 1975, Ahmed Faras entered the legend by becoming the first Moroccan to win the African Ballon d’Or, an award that underlined the quality and consistency of his play. This distinction placed him among the greatest players on the continent, competing with the top African stars of his era. There was talk of a transfer to Real Madrid...but at the time Moroccan league players were barred from moving abroad under penalty of losing their place in the national team. The idea was, thus, to strengthen the domestic league... The peak of his career was surely the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), won by Morocco in Ethiopia. Faras was the leader on the pitch, the tournament’s top scorer, and his influence was decisive for this historic triumph—the only major African title that Morocco has ever won. He scored crucial goals against Nigeria and Egypt in that tournament, perfectly embodying the role of playmaker and team leader on the field. To this day, he remains the only Moroccan captain ever to lift the coveted African trophy. I have been a few times to that ground in Addis Ababa where he lifted the trophy, and every time, his image dominates my thoughts. An indelible black-and-white, forever etched in the history of the Kingdom and in the memory of Moroccans who followed the match at the time through the voice of one Ahmed Elgharbi...no live broadcasts back then. He was a respected and heeded captain, guided by great coaches: Abdelkader Lakhmiri, Blagoe Vidinic, Abdellah Settati, Jabrane, and especially Gheorghe Mardarescu during that epic campaign in the land of Emperor Haile Selassie. His charisma and vision of the game were crucial in unifying the team and leading them to the summit of African football. Faras embodied the spirit of conquest and national pride throughout the tournament. The squad was selected and led by an outstanding manager as well Colonel Mehdi Belmejdoub. His name is forever bound to that legendary achievement, a symbol of the potential of Moroccan football when guided by exemplary leadership, committed and knowledgeable managers, and players who were true warriors for their jersey’s colors. Ahmed Faras was not just a talented player. After his retirement, he continued to share his passion, getting involved in youth training, passing on his knowledge and love for the game to the new generation. He has been a source of inspiration for so many generations of players. Knowing Lhaj Ahmed Faras meant knowing a symbol of loyalty, talent, and unique leadership in Moroccan sports. His name will forever remain inscribed in collective memory as that of a football giant, whose legacy goes beyond sport to inspire entire generations. Rest in peace, my friend. One day, a great football stadium in this country will bear your name, and it will be fitting, if the players follow your example, honor your career, and if the public rises to your greatness, paying tribute to your distinguished name. So Lhaj Ahmed Faras, if you ever meet Acila up there, ask him to give you another nice pass, and tell Glaoua to defend well... Know that your star shines and will always shine above us in the sky of the beautiful country you cherished so much. ---