Surprises for the Lions of the CHAN: Sikitiwi Bets on a Third Title Despite Absences
Tariq Sikitiwi, coach of the national local team, revealed the final list of players who will compete in the African Nations Championship “CHAN 2025,” scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from August 2 to 30. This announcement comes amidst significant changes in the team’s composition and the absence of prominent names who were strong candidates for participation.
The list, which includes 28 players from the professional league, featured many surprises, notably the lifting of the age restriction that previously targeted players born in 2000 and later. These changes were necessitated by the departure of several key players to foreign clubs, such as Amin Zahzouh, Hatim Sabawi, Youssef Naqash, and Yassine Tahih, prompting the technical staff to revise their selection criteria and rely on more experienced players.
The halt in the professional league disrupted the criteria for player readiness, as precise information about the physical and competitive condition of several athletes was lacking, complicating the selection process further. Notable absentees included Ayman Mourid and Akram Naqash, who were replaced by players with strong local experience.
The final roster is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
- Mehdi Lahraar (Fath Union Sport)
- Rashid Ghannimi (Nahdat Berkane)
- Omar Akzdaou (Ittihad Tanger)
Defenders:
- Mohammed Mofid (Royal Army)
- Mohammed Bullxot (Raja Casablanca)
- Mehdi Mashkash (Nahdat Berkane)
- Marwan Loudani (Fath Union Sport)
- Bouchraib Arazi (Nahdat Berkane)
- Abdel-Haq Assal (Wydad Casablanca)
- Youssef Bellamri (Shabab Muhammedia)
Midfielders:
- Fouad Zahouani (Nahdat Berkane)
- Ayoub Khairy (Fath Union Sport)
- Mohammed Rabi Harimat (Royal Army)
- Amin Sawan (Ittihad Tanger)
- Hossam Al-Sadiq (Nahdat Berkane)
- Reda Hajji (Raja Casablanca)
- Anas Bash (Royal Army)
- Khalid Ait Ourkhan (Maghreb Fes)
- Saber Bougrin (Raja Casablanca)
- Youssef Mehri (Fath Union Sport)
Forwards:
- Anas Mahrawi (Raja Casablanca)
- Saif Eddin Bouhra (Nahdat Berkane)
- Khalid Baba (Nahdat Berkane)
- Imad Riyahi (Shabab Muhammedia)
- Salah Eddin Rahouli (Royal Army)
- Ayoub Mouluwa (Maghreb Fes)
- Younes Al-Kaabi (Ittihad Tanger)
- Osama Lamliwi (Fath Union Sport)
The most represented club is Nahdat Berkane with seven players, followed by Raja Casablanca with six, and Royal Army with four. This distribution reflects the depth of the local league and the diversity of options available.
Morocco’s national team has been drawn into a challenging group alongside Kenya (the host nation), Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Lions will kick off their campaign on August 3 against Angola, followed by matches against Kenya on August 10, Zambia on August 14, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on August 17.
Sikitiwi emphasized in his statements that the focus this time is not solely on individual names but on building a cohesive group capable of enduring pressure and adapting quickly. Despite the challenges, the goal remains to secure a third title in the history of the local team, following victories in 2018 and 2020.
