Morocco Football

Liverpool face competition from Lazio over £10m Morocco international

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 00:02:18 +0100

Liverpool face competition from Lazio over the signature of Queens Park Rangers star Adel Taarabt.

The Morocco international has set the nPower Championship alight this season being named PFA Championship Player of the Year, scoring 19 goals from midfield and creating several more for his team mates. His performances have been the catalyst behind Rangers' return to the Premier League as champions of the second tier and have inevitably gained attention from bigger clubs.

Real Madrid coach eyeing Moroccan star

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

According to reports in the Spanish press Jose Mourinho is keeping a close eye on the form of Queens Park Rangers captain Adel Taarabt as speculation mounts that the Moroccan international could quit Loftus Road this summer.

The 21-year-old, who moved to West London from Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis last summer, has been at the centre of QPR’s Championship title push providing creativity in the final third and a number of vital goals.

Fifty injured in Algeria-Morocco game ticket frenzy

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Up to 50 people, including five police officers, were injured in jostling in the Algerian town of Annaba as football fans rushed to buy tickets for the CAN 2012 qualifier match between Morocco and Algeria.

Two people were knifed and left seriously wounded on Wednesday, Algerian daily El Watan reports.

Football fans supporting Algeria's Desert Foxes started queuing up to buy tickets more than one hour before the ticket office opened at the 19-May football stadium.

In with the new for Gerets’ Morocco

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

For his first competitive match in charge of Morocco against Algeria on 27 March, Eric Gerets has rung the changes. Making full use of the carte blanche handed him by the Moroccan FA, the Belgian has left such seasoned performers as Abdelhamid El Kaoutari and Karim Aït-Fana back in France and chosen to do without Mounir El Hamdaoui.

Gerets' plans include the blooding of an exciting new generation of players, even though the trip to Annaba could be crucial in determining whether his charges qualify for the 2012 CAF African Cup of Nations. The former Marseille coach is clearly unafraid to introduce a number of fresh faces to the competitive stage.

Samir Nasri wants Mehdi Benatia to join him at Arsenal

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Morocco international is good friends with the Gunners midfielder from their time spent together at Marseille. Their paths have parted since then, with Nasri heading to England and Benatia trying his luck in Italy with Udinese.

The 23-year-old has impressed during his time in Italy, fuelling speculation that he could be destined for bigger and better things.

Benatia admits Nasri has already tried to tempt him into joining Arsenal, but for now he is refusing to read too much into their friendly banter.

Casablanca could bid for Olympic Games

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Casablanca could be set to launch a bid for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, Morocco's Sports Minister Moncef Belkhayat has revealed.

The country's largest city, with a population of three million, has long been touted as a possible candidate to be the first in Africa to host the Games.

Belkhayat has now confirmed that serious planning has already taken place about a possible bid.

FUS Rabat begin Africa title defence with win

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

FUS Rabat of Morocco kicked off their defence of the African Confederation Cup title with a 2-0 home victory over Toure Kunda of Senegal.

Hicham Fatini put the North Africans ahead on 10 minutes in the Moroccan capital and Adil Meskini added a second goal entering the closing stages of the second round, first leg qualifier.

It was a predictable result given the growing stature of FUS, who created one of the biggest shocks in African club football history by winning the second-tier competition last year, and the inexperience of Kunda.

Moroocan midfielder Adel Taarabt named FL Player of the Year

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt has been named the Championship Player of the Year, with Ipswich striker Connor Wickham taking the Young Player of the Year award.

Taarabt, who joined Rangers on a permanent deal at the start of the season, has been the inspiration behind QPR's rise to the top of the table, scoring 15 goals and claiming 15 assists for the London club.

"It's fantastic for me. I'm very happy and I'm very proud that I'm the Championship's best player," he told Sky Sports.

FIFA Ranking: Morocco: Morocco won 8 places

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The national Moroccan football team is ranked 66th in the last FIFA ranking published yesterday.

The Atlas Lions won 8 places (66th) in the last ranking, in the previous they were 74th. On the other hand, Ghana, first African country lost one place to be 16th followed by Côte d’Ivoire (25th) and Egypt (35th).

Also, note that the FIFA ranking is still dominated by the world champion Spain, ahead of the Netherlands, and Germany. Brazil is down from the 4th to the 5th.

Ligue1: Morrocan Belhanda stun Lille to give title rivals hope

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

French league leaders Lille saw their 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions come to an abrupt end on Sunday as they sank to a potentially damaging 1-0 defeat at Montpellier.

Moroccan attacking midfielder Younes Belhanda claimed the game's only goal in the 84th minute, condemning Lille to a first league defeat since October and breathing new life into the title race in the process.

Moroccan clubs maintain charge in Africa

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The three-prong Moroccan assault on the African Confederation Cup came within seconds of being reduced at the weekend. Difaa al-Jadida needed a last-minute goal from Vivien Mabide to snatch a 1-1 draw at home to Malians Centre Salif Keita and a second-round place on the away-goal rule.

Salif Keita was the first winner of the African Footballer of the Year award 41 years ago when football journalists across the continent voted in a poll organised by France Football magazine.

Premier dream for Zemmama

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Moroccan midfielder Merouane Zemmama arrived on Teesside with the dream of playing for Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premier League.

The 27-year-old could be handed his debut against Swansea on Saturday after completing a transfer window move from Hibernian and he has made no secret of his aims.

He said: "I'm looking to help the team achieve a good position this season and then try to win promotion next season.

Morocco Defeats Niger 3-0 in Friendly Game

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Moroccan Lions of the Atlas took down the Nigerien team with a dramatic score of 3-0 in a friendly football match Wednesday night in Marrakech.

Morocco's victory is a breath of fresh air before the team travels to Algeria to play on the third round of eliminations for the 2012 African Cup of Nations (CAN).

Coach Eric Gerets played Mehdi Benatia, Rachid Soulaimani, Ahmed Kantari and Micheal Basser as the defensive lineup. The offense included Marwan Chammakh as striker with support from Moubarak Boussoufa, Adel Taarabt and Youssouf Hadji.

Moroccan international Chadli pledges future to Belgium

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:04:17 +0100

FC Twente's Nacer Chadli will represent his second country in two months after playing for Morocco in November and being called up by Belgium on Thursday.

Chadli said he had received invitations from both nations and had opted for Belgium, the country of his birth.

The striker withdrew from Morocco's squad for the friendly against Niger.

Kharja sets up title-chasing Inter's win at Bari

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:04:17 +0100

Inter Milan reignited their Serie A title charge thanks to Morocco midfielder Houssine Kharja setting up a 3-0 win at bottom side Bari on Thursday.

The victory lifts the defending champions to seven points behind leaders AC Milan, who drew 0-0 with Lazio on Tuesday, while a game in hand for Leonardo's third-placed side makes the scudetto run-in even more interesting.

No Manchester United move for Moroccan Star

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:02:10 +0100

Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock has told Adel Taarabt to forget thinking about a possible move to Manchester United.

The Moroccan playmaker recently claimed United were keeping tabs on his progress at Loftus Road.

Former Tottenham man Taarabt has been in scintillating form for QPR this season, helping them to the top of the Championship.

Middlesbrough land Morocco international from Scotland

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Middlesbrough have signed Moroccan midfielder Merouane Zemmama from Hibernian for an undisclosed fee.

Zemmama, who joined Hibs from Raja Casablanca in 2006 and was out of contract in the summer, has joined Boro on a three-and-a-half year deal.

The 27-year-old has returned to Morocco to apply for a visa and is expected to rejoin his former boss, Tony Mowbray, at the Riverside by the weekend.

Morocco confident of Cup success

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Morocco is confident of successfully hosting the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations despite a wave of political and social unrest in North Africa.

Tunisian President Ben Ali was recently forced to step aside and flee the country following street protests.

In Egypt, leader Hosni Mubarak is battling to hold on to power as widespread protests demand a regime change.

Morocco To Host 2015 African Nations Cup

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Morocco have won the right to stage the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations while South Africa will host the 2017 edition.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in Lubumbashi, DR Congo.

Morocco and South Africa were the only countries bidding to stage the tournament after DR Congo withdrew.

Morocco to host 2013 African Under 17 Championship

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Morocco won the right to host the 2013 African Under 17 championship, following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the African Football Federation (CAF), held on Saturday in Lubumbashi, DR of the Congo.

It will be the second edition to be hosted in Morocco after staging and wining the 1997 edition.

The last Championship was held in Rowanda and won by Burkinafaso.

I'm desperate to get QPR promoted, says Adel Taarabt

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Adel Taarabt hated life in England so much when he moved here that he wanted to go back to France only two weeks after joining Tottenham.

Fast forward four years and the Queens Park Rangers captain has no thoughts of leaving this country.

The reason for the dramatic transformation in Taarabt's attitude is thanks, largely, to Neil Warnock.

Morocco, South Africa in another bid contest

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

South Africa and Morocco went head to head seven years ago for the right to stage the first World Cup in Africa and the former emerged 14-10 winners after a FIFA executive vote.

After winning worldwide praise for their hosting of the 2010 World Cup won by Spain, South Africa have adjusted their sights toward the African Cup of Nations and want to put on the 2015 show.

Morocco are their only rivals, but this time both countries are likely to be winners unless there is an extraordinary decision when the executive of African football governing body CAF meet in the Democratic Republic of Congo Friday.

African Cup contenders seek to emulate FUS

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The African Confederation Cup kicks off this weekend with the 40 clubs involved in the first round hoping to emulate title holders FUS Rabat of Morocco.

When star-less FUS began their campaign at the same stage last year with a 2-1 loss to Senegalese side Diaraf, it was difficult to imagine that 17 games later they would defeat CS Sfaxien in Tunisia and pocket 660,000 dollars.

Last year was the second in a row that an outsider won the second-tier African competition open to national cup winners with 12 countries chosen on merit also permitted to enter the side placed third in the league.

Blackpool swoop for Morocco left-back Salaheddine Sbai

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Blackpool are swooping for Nimes left-back Salaheddine Sbai.

The Daily Mail says Sbai was undergoing a medical at Bloomfield Road last night.

Defender Sbai, 25, is a Moroccan international and is coming in on loan for the rest of the season. Manager Ian Holloway needs a left-back after losing Stephen Crainey to an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat by Sunderland on Saturday.

Moroccan parliament to adopt law against football hooliganism soon

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

A law introducing prison sentences and fines for football violence in Morocco will be adopted by parliament shortly, an official said on Thursday.

“This law introduces prison sentences of up to five years and fines of up to 1,000 euros,” the Morrocan Minister of Justice Mohamed Naciri told MPs on Thursday.

The derby match between Wydad Casablanca and Raja in the country’s economic capital is frequently marred by football hooliganism with violent rivalry between the fans.

Boussoufa takes Belgian Golden Shoe

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Romelu Lukaku, the top scorer with champions Anderlecht last season, failed to make it a hat-trick of prizes on Wednesday night as his team-mate Mbark Boussoufa claimed Belgian football's Golden Shoe for best individual.

Boussoufa, who received the trophy from Morocco national manager Erik Gerets, finished 89 points ahead of his friend Lukaku to claim his second Golden Shoe, after winning it in 2006.

Chamakh hungry for first-team return

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is not worried by his lack of first-team outings in 2011.

The Moroccan has not played in the Premier League since the 2-2 draw at Wigan at the end of December.

Since that time, Chamakh has only made a 68-minute appearance against Leeds in the FA Cup, with the two teams set for a replay on Wednesday, and he was a second-half substitute in the Carling Cup against Ipswich.

Tottenham face transfer battle for Moroccan

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has never been someone to let a transfer window pass without any activity, and it seems that a striker is at the top of his January wish list. Spurs are being linked with Moroccan forward Youssef El Arabi in the Daily Mirror today, but Redknapp looks set to face competition for the striker if he wants to bring him to White Hart Lane.

French-born Moroccan forward El Arabi has been in stunning form in Ligue 1 this season for Caen. The 23-year-old striker has scored 10 goals in 18 matches, putting him towards the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts.

Nancy won't let Hadji leave on the cheap

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Nancy have made it clear that any club wishing to purchase Youssouf Hadji will have to part with €7million (£5.8m).

The Morocco international is believed to be interesting Bordeaux and Monaco during the January transfer window, with imminent approaches said to be in the pipeline.

The 30-year-old, who is the younger brother of former Aston Villa and Coventry midfielder Mustapha Hadji, is currently in his second spell at Nancy.

Hot Taar seals it for Rangers

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Adel Taarabt kept QPR flying high with an outstanding solo performance that had Premier League class written all over it.

In a feisty clash which saw Swansea’s Alan Tate and Clint Hill of QPR sent off after 19 minutes, Taarabt, 21, showed the talent that marks him out as one of the most-gifted players outside the top flight.

Taarabt, who joined on a permanent deal from Tottenham in August, scored his 10th and 11th goals of the season.

Adel Taarabt given free rein to create and infuriate at QPR

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Saturday afternoon at Loftus Road provided a salutary lesson about the ills that beset modern English football. Or, rather, Adel Taarabt did.

The Moroccan international has been the outstanding performer of the Championship season to date, and on Saturday he struck two magnificent long-range goals to set up Queens Park Rangers’ 3-1 thumping of lowly Preston.

Amazingly, though, much of the talk afterwards was not of Taarabt’s talent but of his fecklessness.

Morocco to play Libya in friendly match next February

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Moroccan national football team will play its Liby an counterpart in a friendly match on 12 February in Tanger in northern Morocco. The Moroccan Royal Football Federation (FRMF) said on Thursday that the match was part of preparations of the Moroccan Atlas Lions for the qualifiers in Group D for the CAF 2012 African Cup of Nations.

Morocco is in the same group with Algeria, Tanzania and the Central African Republic.

Ivorian Olympic side beats Moroccan counterparts 2-1 in friendly

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Moroccan Olympic football team has lost 1-2 to their Ivorian counterparts in a friendly match played on Wednesday evening in Casablanca. The goals of the Ivorian Olympic team were scored by Serge Deble in the 70th minute and Sio Giovanni in the 79th minute. Abdelmoula Berrabeh reduced the deficit in the 88th minute for the Moroccans.

The match was part of preparations of the Moroccan side for their London Olympic Games qualifying match against Mozambique on 27 November.

Northern Ireland hold Morroco to a 1-1 draw

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

A late penalty from Rory Patterson spared Northern Ireland goalkeeper Alan Blayney's blushes in a low-key 1-1 friendly draw against Morocco.

Substitute Blayney handed the visitors the lead on a wet and windy night at Windsor Park when he miscontrolled a backpass and his clearance rebounded into the net off Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh.

Levski suspend Benzoukane for no show

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Morocco defender Chakib Benzoukane has been suspended by Levski Sofia for violating the club's rules, the 26-times Bulgarian champions.

Levski said Benzoukane, a member of Morocco's squad for last weekend's Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier against Tanzania, missed the club's training session on Wednesday without informing them.

"I have nothing to add," Levski coach Yasen Petrov told a news conference.

"There's an official club statement and I don't want to make any more comments."

Chamakh loving Gunners life

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Marouane Chamakh admits he is loving life at Arsenal following his arrival this summer from Bordeaux.

The Morocco international has proved to be an instant success at Emirates Stadium since arriving on a free transfer.

The 26-year-old striker has had no problems acclimatising to his new surroundings thus far, impressing with his performances and scoring four goals to date.

Newcastle United interested in Morocco's Adel Taarabt

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Newcastle United has earm been linked with a move for Qpr playmaker Adel Taarabt as Chris Hughton looks to bring in new attacking options as well as having to deal with the loss of Hatem Ben Arfa with what looks to be a serious leg break following a horrendous challenge from Man City midfielder Nigel De Jong.

Former Tottenham man Taarabt has been a huge success at Loftus Road and has become something of a cult hero at the west London side but he may well be tempted by a swift return to the top tier in January even though his side are running away at the top of the Championship.

Morocco officially bidding to host 2015 or 2017 CAN

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Morocco officially submitted, on Wednesday in Cairo, its bid to host the 2015 or 2017 African cup of nations (CAN).

Morocco's candidacy to organize the continental event was presented by a delegation including Youth and Sports Minister and representatives from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

The last time Morocco held the African cup of nations was in 1988 in Casablanca after the withdrawal of Zambia.

Morocco's El Amrani appointed secretary general of the CAF

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Morocco's Hicham el Amrani has been appointed interim secretary general of the Confederation of African Football.

The appointment was confirmed after a meeting of Caf's executive committee in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday.

The 31-year-old replaces Mustapha Fahmy who is leaving Caf to join Fifa as the Director of Competitions.

Confederation Cup : FUS Rabat subdue Haras El-Hodoud

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Moroccan representatives, FUS Rabat came from behind to beat Haras El-Hodoud of Egypt 2-1 in their Group B Orange CAF Confederation Cup day four clash in Alexandria on Sunday.

It was the third victory of the Rabat-based club as they moved two clear points of CS Sfaxien on the group standings with place at the last four in sight.

Haras El-Hodoud, making their third successive appearance at the mini-league stage of the second tier continental club championship displayed an ordinary output in front of their teeming fans.

Morocco to present candidacy to host 2015 African Cup of Nations

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Morocco will present in late September in Cairo its candidacy to host the 2015 African Cup of Nations (CAN), Chairman of The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) Ali Fassi Fihri said.

"Morocco's candidacy will be officially presented, on September 29, to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Fassi Fihri told MAP, on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the CAF’s commissions.

New York Red Bulls line up move for Moroccan Mehdi Ballouchy

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The midfielder arrived with the Colorado Rapids for a game against the Red Bulls on Saturday. Rather than returning with the team, he took advantage of Monday's day off to visit a cousin in New York City. Then he got the call. As it turned out, Ballouchy didn't have to fly back to Colorado. He was already home.

The Red Bulls acquired the creative midfielder Monday, sending forward Macoumba Kandji to the Rapids. So add yet another new player to the roster as the team prepares for the stretch run of the Major League Soccer season.

Arsène Wenger backs Marouane Chamakh to lead Arsenal's campaign

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Arsène Wenger listed Arsenal's growing ranks of walking wounded tonight, the names of the high-profile absentees tripping miserably off the tongue: Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen, Abou Diaby, Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Ramsey.

There is significant reliance already on all three of Arsenal's summer signings, with each to start the club's Champions League campaign tomorrow evening. "And Marouane Chamakh? Well, he has already shown what an important player he can be for us."

Real Zaragoza signs Moroccan midfielder Said Boutahar

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Spanish BBVA Primera Liga club Real Zaragoza Thursday announced the signing of Moroccan midfielder Said Boutahar.

The 28-year-old is the club' s ninth signing of the summer and has been allowed to sign for the Spanish outfit, even though the transfer window closed at the end of last month, because he had been out of contract with his former club Willem II.

He began his career with Feyernoord before moving to Excelsior, RKC Waalwijk, NEC and Willem II.

FUS Rabat top Confed table

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Outsiders FUS Rabat of Morocco became African Confederation Cup table toppers on Sunday after a 1-0 home victory over Harras al-Hodoud of Egypt.

Rachid Rokki scored 12 minutes into the second half to settle the North African showdown and lift his team to first place in Group B with six points from three outings.

CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, the only club to successfully defend the second-tier African club competition, slipped to second place two points behind after a 1-0 loss away to Zanaco of Zambia in Lusaka on Saturday.

Morocco draws with Central African Republic in ACN-2012 Qualifier

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:06:10 +0100

Moroccan football team drew 0-0, on Saturday in Rabat, with the Central African Republic on the opening day of the Qualifier (Group D) for the African Cup of Nations (CAN-2012).

The group's other match between Algeria and Tanzania, on Friday in Blida (central Algeria), ended in a one-all draw.

Morocco will play Tanzania on October 8-10.

Nordin Boukhari seals Poland move

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:06:10 +0100

New Wisla Krakow acquisition Nourdin Boukhari a few years ago once played with stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wesley Sneijder - now he will play in the Ekstraklasa.

The player admits that his former colleagues from across Europe have asked him why he chose to play in Poland of all places.

Boukhari was loaned to Wisla from Turkish side Kasımpaşa SK Having hardly played there

Liverpool’s El Zhar joins PAOK on loan

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:01:11 +0100

Liverpool winger Nabil El Zhar has left the club to join Greek outfit PAOK on a season-long loan.

The 24-year old French-born Morocco international joined the Reds in 2006 but has failed to become a first team regular and has sought the loan deal to gain more game time.

El Zhar has not been used since Roy Hodgson took over at Anfield but he will now get his chance to impress at the top level of Greek football.

Morocco reveal squad list for Central African Republic qualifier

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:01:10 +0100

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has published Dominique Cuperly’s roster for the Atlas Lions’ upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifier versus the Central African Republic which will be played on September 4.

The Frenchman who is currently filling in for Eric Gerets has given Fettah Boukhris and Youssef El Arabi their first call-ups. Besides that, the squad is practically identical to the one that was assembled for Morocco’s 2-1 win over Equatorial Guinea on August 11.

CAF Confederation Cup : Sfaxien maul FUS Rabat

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Twice winners CS Sfaxien took a giant step towards a place at the next round with 3-0 win over FUS Rabat of Morocco in the Orange CAF Confederation Cup Group B clash on Saturday in Sfax.

A spectacular second half performance from the 2007 and 2008 winners of the second-tier continental club championship was enough for them to send the Moroccan debutants packing empty.

With Frenchman Pierre Lechantre steering the affairs of the Sfax-based team from the bench, they however failed to capitalise on their dominance in the early stages for the opener.

QPR skipper reckons Adel Taarabt will get even better

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Rangers will see an even better Adel Taarabt this season now he is no longer just a loan player, according to Fitz Hall.

The Moroccan midfielder has scored twice in as many games as Rangers have enjoyed a flying start to the season, and the QPR skipper is sure it is a sign of things to come.

“When he was on loan, sometimes the fans would get onto his back," Hall said.

FUS Rabat beat Zanaco in CAF cup

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

FUS Rabat of Morocco have taken an early lead in Group B of the African Confederation Cup after beating Zambia's Zanaco 1-0 on Saturday.

Mohammed Benchrifa got the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half.

In Saturday's other match, AS FAN of Niger were held to a goalless draw at home by Djoliba of Mali.

Loan star Adel Taarabt seals move to QPR

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:05:17 +0100

QPR have completed the signing of Tottenham misfit Adel Taarabt for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £1million.

The Morocco international spent last season on loan at Loftus Road and has agreed a three-year deal with the npower Championship side.

Taarabt, 21, arrived at Spurs from Lens for £3m in 2007 but he made just nine Premier League appearances for the club.

Marouane Chamakh puts Chelsea on his hit list

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:03:16 +0100

Marouane Chamakh is perhaps still in the process of convincing Arsenal supporters of his worth but singling out Chelsea as the side he wants to beat above all others will do his popularity no harm.

The 26-year-old's former club Bordeaux were humbled 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in September 2008 on an awful night for the French side.

Arsenal's record against the Blues is in desperate need of a boost with only two wins from their last 17 matches

Morocco, Equatorial Guinea to play friendly match on August in Rabat

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:02:14 +0100

Moroccan national football team will play Equatorial Guinea a friendly match on August 11 in Rabat.

This match is part of the Atlas Lions' preparations for the qualifiers of the African Cup of Nations (CAN-2012), to be organized jointly by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Morocco's opening game in the group D, which includes also Tanzania and Algeria, will be against Central Africa, next September in Rabat.

Belgian Eric Gerets officially named Morocco's coach

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:06:17 +0100

Belgian Eric Gerets was officially appointed, on Monday, coach of Morocco, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said.

French Dominique Cuperly was appointed coach assistant, the FRMF announced on its website.

Gerets, 54, will be tasked with improving the national team's performance in order to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Moroccan people, the same source added.

QPR boss flys to Morocco in bid to sign Spurs star

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

QPR boss Neil Warnock took the extraordinary step of flying to Morocco this week in a bid to persuade Adel Taarabt his future is at Rangers.

Warnock is braving the 35-degree heat and 3,000-mile round-trip to Marrakesh to meet the midfielder in his own country following his succession of eye-catching performances last season.

The 21-year-old joined Rs on-loan for the second time last August from Tottenham.

Villarreal interested in Adel Taarabt

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Adel Taarabt is set to talk to hold talks with Tottenham Hotspur as he eyes his departure from White Hart Lane.

The former QPR loanee is still a reported interest for manager Neil Warnock, but more recent interest is coming from Spain and France, as well as Premier League West Ham United.

Taarabt - who has already expressed his desire to leave Tottenham - told the Daily Mail that Villarreal are interested in him, while recognising his improvement in W12.

Michel returns to coach Raja Casablanca

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Former France manager Henri Michel will take charge of Moroccan side Raja Casablanca next season for the second time after signing a one-year renewable contract, a club statement said.

Michel won the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup with Raja in 2003. He also had two spells as Morocco's national coach, during which he took them to the 1998 World Cup in his native France.

Arsenal new-boy Chamakh: My best is yet to come

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:02:11 +0100

New Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh insists the best is yet to come after his switch to the Emirates.

The Moroccan international has arrived on a free transfer after winning the 2009 French title and two French League Cups with Bordeaux.

But he believes Gunners fans will see the best of him as he matures under Arsene Wenger.