Mustapha Lamrani, the former Moroccan international, has tipped the Royal Army (AS FAR) as the frontrunners to clinch the Pro League title, attributing their potential success to the technical stability they’ve experienced in recent years.
Having served as the former captain of AS FAR, Lamrani, who secured a historic treble with Maghreb Fes, shared his insights with “Hesport” regarding the reasons behind AS FAR’s recent dominance and his personal vision for the team’s future in continental competitions.
In an exclusive interview, Lamrani provided his perspective on the level of the Moroccan national team and domestic football in general.
Assessing AS FAR’s Recent Form
“The Royal Army boasts a formidable team and has been enjoying a period of excellence due to its impressive infrastructure and technical stability.
Significant work has been done within the club, providing it with the strength to achieve titles,” Lamrani commented.
AS FAR’s Championship Prospects
“For me, AS FAR is the prime candidate to win the league title this season. I believe they can also clinch the next edition, given their stability on all fronts.
This prediction stands at 90 percent, despite the competition from Casablanca’s two powerhouses, Wydad and Raja,” Lamrani confidently stated.
Reflecting on AS FAR’s Past Challenges
“When I played, we came close to winning the title in 2013, narrowly missing out to Raja. However, certain small details prevented us from clinching the title, including technical aspects and poor management of some matches,” Lamrani recalled.
AS FAR’s Continental Ambitions
“The team will compete in the CAF Champions League next season, and players must have continental experience to vie for such titles. Currently, there are players who have not participated in this tournament, and it will be challenging for them at first.
However, they must play to honor the shirt and achieve the best results,” Lamrani emphasized.
Technical Management at AS FAR
“AS FAR has had an outstanding training center for years, alongside FUS Rabat. It’s essential to focus on these aspects to improve the level of clubs and benefit from this crucial aspect of football,” Lamrani noted.
National Team and Local Players
“As for the national team, local players need training. There are significant financial challenges faced by youth coaches, negatively impacting what they offer to young players.
Therefore, players must assert themselves and compete with those coming from European countries in service of the nation,” Lamrani asserted.
Moroccan National Team Development
“Although we reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, there’s a need to enhance and elevate the level in line with Moroccan fans’ aspirations. Despite the achievements, there were mistakes made during that tournament, overshadowed by the joy of success.
We must address these issues and work on improvement,” Lamrani advised.
Reflections on AS FAR’s Historic Treble and Current Challenges
“Despite securing the historic treble with Maghreb Fes, we faced financial difficulties during that period. The current situation is similar, with poor results.
I don’t follow closely, but I hope the situation improves,” Lamrani concluded.
