Former Moroccan National Team Coach Abdelkhalek Louzani Dies at 75

Appointed coach of the Atlas Lions in 1992, he will be ousted from his position less than a year later. His successor Abdellah Blinda will succeed in qualifying Morocco for the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

If Abdelkhalek Louzani did not convince enough with the national team, he shone as a coach in the clubs. After his coaching studies, he began his coaching career at Charleroi in D4 before returning to the country. In Morocco, he has successively coached Moghreb de Tétouan, until 1983, Olympique de Khouribga (vice-champion of Morocco), Fath de Rabat, in 1985-1986, MAT, in 1986-1987, Ittihad de Tanger, in 1987-1988.

Back in Khouribga, he won his 2nd national vice-champion title in 1989 before coaching Kawkab de Marrakech for two seasons, from 1990 to 1992. He was also coach of FUS, CODM, SCCM, DHJ, JSM, KAC. Recalled to OCK, his favorite club, he won the Arab Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996.

Before his coaching career, Abdelkhalek Louzani played for ASS Essaouira, his native village in the second division, from 1960 to 1963 before flying to Belgium where he played for RSC Anderlecht, K Crossing VV Elewijt, and ROC Charleroi-Marchienne, the club where he announced his international retirement.