Amir Abdou, the former head coach of the Comoros and Mauritanian national teams, has officially taken charge at Moroccan club Hassania Agadir, marking a notable return to management just months after his departure from international football.
Abdou, 52, has been without a team since his exit from Mauritania in November following the nation’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Despite previously guiding Mauritania to a historic Round of 16 finish at the 2023 tournament, a feat he also achieved with Comoros in 2021, the disappointing qualification campaign led to his dismissal.
In a surprising move, the seasoned coach has accepted a role at Hassania Agadir (HUSA), a club that struggled significantly in Morocco’s top flight last season, finishing 13th out of 16 in the Botola Pro.
The appointment of such a high-profile manager to a team flirting with relegation has raised eyebrows across the African football scene.
Speaking exclusively to Afrik-Foot, Abdou said he was swayed by the club’s long-term vision and the resources being made available for rebuilding.
“It’s a strong project,” he stated. “There’s a lot to restructure, but the means are there. The objective is to reach the top three, insh’Allah.”
Abdou’s arrival signals a new chapter for HUSA, a club that once stood among Morocco’s elite. With league titles in 2002 and 2003 and a CAF Confederation Cup semi-final appearance as recently as 2020, the Agadir-based side is now hoping to recapture past glories after years of gradual decline.
The team finished 7th in 2023, slipped to 10th in 2024, and found itself perilously close to the relegation zone last season.
Club officials are placing their faith in Abdou’s proven leadership and tactical acumen, qualities that elevated the Comoros from relative obscurity to continental respectability during his eight-year tenure.
Under his stewardship, the island nation not only qualified for its first-ever AFCON but also stunned Ghana in the group stages of the 2021 edition.
His spell in Mauritania further enhanced his reputation. Despite operating with limited resources, Abdou led the Mourabitounes to back-to-back AFCON qualifications and a knockout-stage appearance in 2023, milestones previously unimaginable for the West African country.
Speculation had surrounded Abdou’s next move following his departure from the Mauritanian post. Reports earlier this year linked him with potential roles at both the Ghanaian national team and Tunisian giants Espérance de Tunis.
However, those opportunities did not materialize, opening the door for a return to club football in North Africa.
For Hassania Agadir, the appointment represents both a statement of intent and a gamble. The club is now entrusting its revival to a coach with a reputation for transforming underperforming teams, yet who will be operating in a different environment, one that requires navigating the competitive and financially demanding terrain of Moroccan domestic football.
As preparations begin for the new season, Abdou will be tasked with reenergizing a squad low on confidence and delivering results in a league that is becoming increasingly competitive.
Supporters will be hoping that his track record of inspiring unlikely success can work its magic once more, this time in the red and white of Agadir.
Amir Abdou’s next challenge is no less daunting than his past triumphs. But with his vision, belief, and history of overachievement, Hassania Agadir may just have found the leader to guide them back to the top tier of Moroccan football.
We’re happy to have you with us 🤍❤️ #HUSA #AGADIR
AMIR ABDOU 🤝 pic.twitter.com/GtYXWJN7oV— Mohamed Lamouden 💻📸 (@Medmdn17_) June 4, 2025
