The youth derby between Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca attracted unusual attention from several player agents, who were present to closely monitor emerging talents from both sides as part of a targeted scouting effort aimed at identifying players with near-future investment potential.
The encounter ended in a 2-2 draw and was marked by intense rivalry and strong competition, with high levels of enthusiasm dominating proceedings. The tension on the pitch forced the referee to intervene on several occasions in order to restore calm and maintain discipline.
Despite the charged atmosphere, agents continued to focus on individual performances, paying particular attention to players who have yet to sign professional contracts, with the intention of tempting them with offers from local or foreign clubs.
Challenging weather conditions added another layer of difficulty to the match, as strong winds disrupted ball control and affected overall quality. Even so, several players managed to showcase impressive technical ability and physical presence, drawing the attention of observers.
From an administrative standpoint, the match was attended by Raja Club Athletic sporting director Sebastian Soumakal, who followed the contest closely as part of the club’s strategy to assess youth players capable of reinforcing the first team through internal development.
In contrast, Wydad Athletic Club had no official representation from its technical management, with the delegation limited to head coach Abdel Latif Noussir and members of his assistant staff.
These developments come amid growing interest from Raja’s leadership, under President Jawad Ziyat, in accelerating the promotion of young talents and providing them with gradual pathways into the senior squad.
This approach coincides with increasing competition between clubs and player agents to secure the most promising names at the youth level.
As a result, the so-called Derby of Hope went beyond a simple competitive fixture, transforming into a key scouting platform where on-field battles merged with future-focused calculations, against the backdrop of an intensifying race for Morocco’s next generation of football talent.
