Qatar 2022: The LEGEND Of Fouzi Lekjaa

Fouzi Lekjaa has achieved the historic feat of being the first African Football Associations president to oversee his team to the last four of the World Cup.

The 52-year-old who has been the Royal Morocan Football Federation president since 2014 has raised the bar high on the continent, and his federation is currently a benchmark to others, many football stakeholders believe.

There has been a tremendous increase in infrastructure that has helped nurture talents in the North African country, and Morocco effortlessly host tournaments with style and some swag.

Under Lekjaa’s tenure, Morocco have hosted the men’s CAF inter-club competitions at its climax, the Women’s AFCON, CHAN, CAF women’s champions league – and put out a potent bid to host the 2025 AFCON after it was withdrawn from Guinea.

The efforts have more than paid dividends. Moroccan clubs have since 2014 won 3 CAF champions leagues, 4 Confed. Cups, 4 Super CAF super cups and 1 CAF Women’s Champions League.

At International level, Morocco have claimed successive African Nations Championship trophies in 2018 and 2021. The Atlas Lionesses have equally added a pep in their step. They qualified for next year’s Women’s World Cup having ended up as beaten finalists against South Africa earlier this year.

To cap the Renaissance is the Atlas Lions’ doggedness at this year’s FIFA World Cup. En Nesyri’s lone goal against Portugal meant Morocco became the first African nation to make the semis of the World Cup.

Fouzi’s growing legacy could be cemented on Wednesday Dec. 14, if Morocco can beat France to reach the final, and maybe go all the way to grab the prestigious trophy.