HIBAPRESS – Abdelatif Baraka
In the southern provinces of the Kingdom, the passion for football is not just about watching matches, but it transforms into a daily behavior and a collective culture that is renewed with every achievement made by the Moroccan national team, of various age groups, at the continental and international levels. From the Arab Cup, where the "Atlas Lions" reached the final deservedly, to the honorable participations in African and world championships, the emotional connection to football is strengthened among the residents of these regions, who see in the national team a mirror of rising national ambition.
From Guelmim to Laayoune and Dakhla, the streets and neighborhoods live to the rhythm of football, where facades are adorned with national flags, and cafes are filled to the brim with fans of different ages. Youth, families, workers, and students gather around a single screen, united by the dream of victory and strengthening their sense of belonging. This interaction is not only related to the moment of the match, but it precedes it by weeks of preparation and anticipation, in a scene that reflects the depth of the relationship between football and local identity. The recent positive results of the Moroccan national team have revived the momentum in the football arena in the southern provinces, and have consolidated confidence in a national football project that relies on training and sustainability, the "Mohammed VI Football Academy" model.
The successes of the youth, young men, and women, along with the strong presence of the first team in major events, fueled the feeling that the future is better, and that Moroccan football is moving in the right direction. And with the approach of the African Cup of Nations, this enthusiasm is multiplying remarkably. Preparations are not limited to the national team and the organizing authorities only, but also include public spaces and cafes that seek to provide the best conditions for the fans, by renewing their equipment and improving their spaces to accommodate an increasing number of fans. It is a spontaneous popular mobilization, reflecting the position of the "CAN" in the collective conscience, as a distinguished sporting and continental event.
This momentum is not limited to Moroccan citizens alone, but also involves the African communities residing in the southern provinces, who see in these events an opportunity for rapprochement and meeting, and to celebrate the values of unity and diversity embodied by football. The matches turn into a space for cultural exchange, where chants, shirts and flags mix, in an image that reflects a human dimension that transcends the boundaries of competition.
Thus, the southern provinces of the Kingdom confirm once again that the passion for football is not circumstantial, but is an extension of a path of sports accumulation and national achievements. And with every new participation, and every upcoming championship, the hope is renewed that the "Atlas Lions" will continue to write bright chapters, which resonate strongly in the hearts of the fans of the south of the Kingdom, who do not miss the date of football joy.
