Bouaké Celebrates Ivory Coast’s Qualification for CAN 2023 Round of 16Mohamed VI Football Complex: Transforming Morocco into a Global Football Powerhouse

BOUAKÉ – The city of Bouaké erupted in celebration on Wednesday evening following the conclusion of the match between Morocco and Zambia in the 2023 African Cup of Nations (CAN). This joyous outburst marked Ivory Coast’s advance to the round of 16 in the tournament.

According to Burkina Information Agency, moments after the referee’s final whistle in the Morocco vs. Zambia game, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Morocco, the streets of Bouaké were flooded with elated fans. These supporters, seen roaming the streets, were jubilant over the Elephants of Ivory Coast securing their spot in the next phase of the competition. The city’s residents, waving national flags and sounding vuvuzelas, gathered in various groups to revel in this success. The phrase “God is Ivorian” was a common chant among the crowds, reflecting their pride and joy.

This unexpected turn of events came after Morocco’s narrow win against Zambia. The victory was crucial as it left only one spot for the best third-placed team in the CAN groups, specifically in Group F. Morocco’s win thus provided a lifeline to Ivory Coast, which had been on the brink of elimination from the tournament.

With this development, the Elephants of Ivory Coast have successfully moved past the first round of CAN 2023 and will face the Lions of Senegal in the round of 16.

The CAN 2023, hosted by Ivory Coast, is a significant football tournament in Africa, taking place from January 13 to February 11, 2024. The event has brought together teams from across the continent, showcasing the spirit and talent of African football.

RABAT-SALÉ, Morocco – The Mohamed VI Football Complex, located in the Moroccan city of Rabat-Salé, has emerged as a significant training center for football in Morocco since its inception in December 2019. This state-of-the-art facility, spanning 30 hectares, is part of a broader strategy to elevate Morocco to the ranks of the world’s leading football nations.

According to Burkina Information Agency, who spoke to African journalists including a representative from the AIB on January 23, 2024, the Complex is central to Morocco’s national football promotion policy. It is designed to nurture talent from the grassroots level through to elite football, providing a comprehensive training environment for both national teams and club players. Kharbouch emphasized the importance of quality training in achieving these ambitious goals, and the Complex is equipped to fulfill this need.

The facility boasts an impressive array of infrastructure, including four natural grass fields, two artificial fields, a hybrid field, and a beach soccer field. In addition, there are two half-fields focused on motor skills and coordination, a covered artificial pitch, a covered futsal pitch, an Olympic swimming pool, and a 1000 square meter fitness room. The Mohamed VI Football Complex also features a sports medical center offering consultation, rehabilitation, radiology, functional explorations, and physiological recovery services.

Highlighting its self-sufficiency, the Complex includes a ‘5-star’ hotel dedicated exclusively to the Moroccan A football team and four other hotels with a combined capacity of 400 beds for other residents. Notably, the Complex also houses a school where teenage girls receive seven years of education combined with football training. This program ensures that even those who do not continue with a sporting career can pursue opportunities in other sectors.

In addition to the training facilities, the Complex has an administrative building with numerous amenities, including offices for the administration and the national technical direction. Hassan Kharbouch noted that the Mohamed VI Football Complex has already hosted around sixty international matches, positioning it as a key venue in the global football landscape and contributing to the security and prestige of Moroccan football.