Casablanca Football: Wydad and Raja Forced to Move Home Matches

20:30

Wydad Athletic Club and Raja Club Athletic have been unsuccessful in their efforts to postpone the temporary closure of Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, as preparations continue for an upcoming international fixture involving Morocco and Niger.

The presidents of the two Casablanca-based clubs, Jawad Ziyat of Raja and Ibrahim El Asri of Wydad, reportedly approached the relevant authorities in an attempt to keep the stadium available for their forthcoming home matches. Their objective was to preserve the advantage of playing in their usual venue, where they could count on the support of their respective fan bases.

However, the request was not accepted. According to information reported by local media on October 28, the decision to close the stadium remains in place because the playing surface requires maintenance before the international encounter scheduled for November 13.

Pitch maintenance takes priority

The closure is intended to allow work on the stadium's grass surface, whose condition has deteriorated and requires attention before the next major fixture.

The maintenance operation is part of the preparations to ensure that Mohammed V Sports Complex can host the Morocco-Niger match under suitable playing conditions. The venue is expected to welcome the national teams for the African Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign.

The decision creates a scheduling challenge for both Casablanca clubs, which must temporarily move their home fixtures to another stadium while the work is carried out.

Larbi Zaouli becomes the alternative venue

With Mohammed V Stadium unavailable, the two teams are expected to play their upcoming home matches at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, also located in Casablanca.

Raja's fixture against Hassania Agadir, scheduled for October 28, has been moved to the alternative venue. Wydad is also due to host Moghreb Tetouan there on October 31, while Raja's scheduled meeting with Ittihad Tanger on November 8 is likewise set to take place at Larbi Zaouli.

The relocation means both clubs will have to adapt to a different home environment during an important stretch of the Botola Pro season. Although the move keeps their league commitments on track, it prevents them from using their customary stadium and benefiting from the atmosphere associated with their home supporters at Donor.

Morocco-Niger fixture shapes the timetable

The international match between Morocco and Niger, scheduled for November 13 in Casablanca, is a key factor behind the stadium's unavailability. Niger selected the Moroccan economic capital as the venue for the encounter, with the presence of a sizeable Nigerien community in the city cited as a consideration.

Ensuring that the pitch is ready for the national-team fixture has therefore taken precedence over the requests from Wydad and Raja to delay the closure.

The episode highlights the logistical pressures facing major football venues, which must accommodate domestic competitions while also meeting the requirements of international matches. For Casablanca's two leading clubs, the immediate priority will be to navigate their upcoming league fixtures away from Mohammed V Stadium while awaiting the complex's return to service.