As the Moroccan domestic league prepares to resume in August, national team coach Tarik Sektioui is working to strike a crucial agreement with Botola clubs ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which will be staged from 2 to 30 August in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The tournament, reserved for players based in domestic leagues, presents a major organisational challenge for Morocco. With the Botola Pro Inwi 2025–2026 campaign also set to kick off in early August, and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled later in the year on home soil, Sektioui is under pressure to build a competitive side without disrupting the domestic season.
A strategic meeting convened by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) on Friday brought together representatives from the country’s top-tier clubs to address scheduling and coordination.
Key items on the agenda included the start date of the Botola season, the integration of CHAN preparations, and the broader impact of hosting the 2025 AFCON between 21 December and 18 January.
In the coming days, Sektioui is expected to meet directly with club officials in a bid to secure their support for the national team’s CHAN campaign.
According to Le360 Sport, the coach has already made one notable concession: agreeing to limit national team call-ups to no more than two players per club.
The move is aimed at reducing the impact on squads, particularly for those competing in African club tournaments such as the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
Sektioui, who guided Morocco’s U23 side to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, now faces a fresh challenge. For CHAN, he must form a squad made up entirely of players born in 2000 or later, and exclusively from Morocco’s local league.
Despite his appeals, the FRMF has remained firm in its commitment to this age policy, aligning with its long-term strategy of youth development.
This constraint has added complexity to Sektioui’s task, especially as several clubs have expressed hesitation about releasing key players during a packed domestic schedule.
Yet, the coach is determined to overcome these obstacles. He is adamant that strong collaboration between the federation and clubs will be essential if Morocco is to mount a serious challenge for the CHAN title.
Managing the workload of young players while maintaining competitive integrity in the league remains a balancing act. The current plan would see the first phase of the Botola season concluded by late November, ensuring minimal conflict with international fixtures.
However, the possibility of league matches continuing during FIFA dates means that club-coach cooperation must be well coordinated.
Sektioui’s vision goes beyond short-term success. His ambition is to create a tightly knit, well-prepared group capable of excelling at CHAN, while also laying the groundwork for the senior team’s future.
In a year when Morocco is set to host AFCON and seek continental dominance, unity between national team structures and club football has never been more vital.
Whether this emerging pact between Sektioui and the clubs can withstand the demands of the season remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Morocco’s aspirations at CHAN—and potentially at AFCON—may hinge on the strength of this delicate alliance.
L’équipe nationale locale des joueurs nés en 2000 et plus, s’est imposée 6-0 face au Tchad hier après-midi. 🇲🇦
Les buteurs sont Essaouabi, El Kaabi, Khalid Baba, Moulouaa, Khairi et El Mehraoui. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/FrUyNFRS2l
— BotolaNews (@_Botola_News) June 9, 2025
