Stadium Closures Disrupt Moroccan Soccer Ahead of 2025 AFCON

The pill is hard to swallow for the Casablanca clubs. Raja and Wydad have been informed of the closure of the Mohammed V Complex from October 15 to November 30 due to pitch maintenance work, in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This decision taken by SONARGES without consulting the stakeholders has elicited a reaction from the leaders of the two clubs who have requested a meeting to find a compromise. Raja and Wydad, who were hoping to face each other on the complex’s facilities during the fifth round of the Botola, now have to look for another venue for the match. Negotiations are reportedly underway for this purpose.

Other stadiums in the kingdom are also expected to close for maintenance, including the Grand Stade d’Agadir, the one in Marrakech, as well as the Fès Sports Complex. The closure of the Agadir stadium forces Hassania d’Agadir (HUSA) and Olympique Dcheira to find a new pitch to play their match. In Marrakech, Kawkab will not be able to play in the city’s Grand Stadium until the end of AFCON. The Marrakech club should return to the mythical El Harti stadium, with a smaller capacity. Similarly, Maghreb Association sportive (MAS), which had already made numerous trips last season, will also have to find a new home due to work at the Fès Sports Complex.

While SONARGES considers these works necessary to ensure the quality of the pitches and infrastructure before the continental tournament, these closures are disrupting the normal course of the championship. The clubs concerned will have to face costly trips, increased fatigue for the players and a drop in revenue, even though the Botola Pro Inwi D1 is only in its fifth round. Several teams are now forced to find temporary solutions for their home matches.