The red wave of WAC
“Ho-ho Wydad Athletic, ho ho champion of Africa”. Monday, May 29 was synonymous with match day for all Wydadis (supporters of the Wydad Athletic Club). The WAC faced the Moghreb de Tetouan as part of the 26th day of the championship.
Two hours before the meeting, the atmosphere was already very animated and the pressure was rising little by little. More than two hundred meters from the stadium are the first police roadblocks. A red wave surges from all corners of the city and converges on the stadium. 100 meters further, a new dam. For a “small” match, the system put in place is impressive. Families, groups of friends, children… all city dwellers unite to support their favorite team.
In the grandstand, all eyes are riveted on the resplendent “tifos” of the winners. The face of the clown Pennywise, the creepy monster from Stephen King’s novel, ‘ ça ‘, stares at the players and at the (few) opposing supporters. The message was clear: “Fear us”. And there is reason to fear this supercharged human tide, which passionately devotes a large part of its life to the WAC. This supporters’ stand located in the Northern part of the stadium catches the eye. It was difficult to concentrate on the lawn, because the supporters’ stands were so mesmerizing.
The call of freedom
A flag of Palestine flies proudly among the ultras. Freedom. This is the watchword that seems to emanate from the fervor of the so-called “Virage Nord” (“North Turn”) voted many times best group of ultras in the world. The chants are sometimes political, sometimes encouraging, and sometimes mocking towards the opposing team, without forgetting to taunt the rivals of the Raja club even when these are not physically present. It is still the commitment and the convictions of these supporters that are the most impressive.
A stadium is a great agora where people can vent their anger and sadness, before letting their joy burst at the feats of the men in red. “Filled with all the problems of the week, I come to the stadium to forget everything”, chant the supporters. This is a popular football, which threatens to die out in many countries, and sees its flame rekindled in the burning cauldron of the Mohammed V stadium, the ultimate representative of the city’s social mix.
“La la there, bring home the victory, guys.” No respite for supporters. Drums resound almost ceaselessly during the match, and the sound of the chants is exhilarating. Then a first goal is scored. The stadium ignites. Everyone hugs and the crowd is immersed in a cloud of smoke and red light.
Conclusion, this was a victory by two to zero which keeps Wydad in the title race, a small point behind AS FAR. This battle against Tetouan was only a warm-up. At the end of the match, supporters were already looking forward to the next battle that WAC will have to wage.
The “Champions” song resounded throughout the stadium during the moment of communion between the players and the supporters. The battle to come promises to be grandiose, with a double confrontation against the Egyptians of Al Ahly to seek, “God willing”, a fourth title of winner of the African Champions League.
Laura Hue & Mathieu Ozanne
