African Champions League: A 3rd star on the Wydad coat of arms
One more victory, the third one, for the Wydad Athletic Club (WAC). After 1992 and 2017, the Casablanca club has now managed to win its third African Champions League cup. A memorable evening, last Monday in Casablanca. After the final whistle, the people from Casablanca had a sleepless night. The esplanade of the Hassan II Mosque and the Ain Diab seaside promenade experienced unforgettable moments, with thousands of Moroccans out in the streets to celebrate the African coronation. WAC coach Walid Regueragui and team captain Yahya Jabrane received a phone call from HM King Mohammed VI. A royal message of congratulations was also sent to the members of the club.
■ Conquering Africa: However, at the start of the season, the “Widadis” were rather skeptical, expecting great difficulties, after the departure of certain executive players, who formed the backbone of the team. WAC´s troubles deepened after FIFA banned the recruitment of new players during the last transfer window. However, the men of Walid Regueragui braved all the difficulties, to do justice to the slogan carried by the supporters on a banner a few weeks ago: “The Conquerors of the continent”. A faultless course, having eliminated heavyweights from Africa, including Zamalek from Egypt, Petro Athletico from Angola… And at the end of the course, a final score of 2-0 against team of Al Ahly of Egypt, a club having cumulated the greatest number of titles in Africa. A match marked by the exemplary refereeing by South African Victor Gomes. The only downside was the managers and players of Al Ahly of Egypt, who confirmed their reputation as “bad losers”, lacking in courtesy towards the host country and towards the CAF organizers.
■ Infantino, Motsepe… From the organizational standpoint, everyone was fearing that some excesses might happen during this sold-out match. Especially since the officials of the Egyptian Club had multiplied provocations for several weeks, pointing to safety conditions. Fears also arose after the failures that marred the organization of the European Champions League final last Saturday, May 24, in Paris. However, Morocco has once again shown its ability to succeed in an exemplary organization of this event, even in the opinion of the Egyptian officials who were present. It is no coincidence that Qatar, which is hosting the next World Cup, is seeking Moroccan expertise in this area. Last Monday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe witnessed the flawless organization showed by the Moroccan authorities. This final match of the most prestigious club competition in Africa is also a promotional factor for Morocco as a destination. Especially with the worldwide good image of the Moroccan public doing breathtaking shows in the grandstands. This was an electric atmosphere, which has attracted several international celebrities, including FC Barcelona star Ousmane Dembélé.
Super Cup
The coronation of WAC is also a consecration of Moroccan supremacy over African football. After RSB’s victory in the CAF Cup final two weeks ago, the 2022 African Super Cup will be 100% Moroccan, for the first time in the history of this competition. These achievements are to be added to those of the local national team, which won the last two editions of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). The WAC club will also represent Morocco in the next edition of the Club World Cup.
Mohamed Ali Mrabi
