Raja Casablanca Adds Moroccan Assistant to Support Coach Paco Jémez

Friday 23 - 11:25

Raja Club Athletic has moved to reinforce its technical staff by bringing in Moroccan-born football specialist Hamadi Sghir to work alongside head coach Paco Jémez. The appointment comes as the Casablanca club seeks to improve its performances and strengthen its preparation for domestic and continental competition.

The decision, reported on October 22, 2026, follows growing debate surrounding the team's results and the Spanish coach's familiarity with Moroccan and African football. Sghir is expected to serve as an assistant coach while also contributing to video-based performance analysis, adding a local perspective to the team's technical setup.

A New Addition to Jémez's Technical Team

Raja's sporting committee reportedly concluded that the coaching staff needed additional expertise to support the first-team manager. Sghir's dual responsibilities are intended to combine on-field assistance with the detailed analysis of matches and player performances.

Video analysis has become an increasingly important part of modern football preparation, helping coaching teams identify tactical weaknesses, evaluate opposition strategies and assess individual contributions. Within Raja, this role could provide Jémez with additional information as he works to establish his approach and improve the team's consistency.

The appointment also introduces a Moroccan football perspective into a technical staff led by a Spanish coach, potentially helping the club navigate the specific demands of domestic and African competitions.

Results Put Raja Under Pressure

The reinforcement comes against a backdrop of heightened expectations at Raja, one of Morocco's most prominent football clubs. Supporters expect the team to compete for major honours, placing pressure on the coaching staff to deliver convincing performances as the season progresses.

Jémez, who took charge of the first team in September 2026, arrived with experience across several European clubs. His previous coaching career includes spells with Rayo Vallecano, Las Palmas, Granada, Córdoba and Ibiza, as well as experience in other football environments.

His challenge in Casablanca is to translate that experience into consistent results while adapting to the club's competitive ambitions and the demands of Moroccan football.

Continental Competition Adds to the Challenge

Raja's technical adjustments come ahead of the return leg of their second preliminary-round tie in the CAF Confederation Cup against Nigeria's El-Kanemi Warriors. The first encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving the Moroccan side with an important opportunity to pursue qualification on home soil.

The continental fixture adds urgency to the club's efforts to improve its organisation and preparation. Sghir's arrival could help the coaching staff analyse the opposition more thoroughly and identify areas requiring attention before the decisive encounter.

For Raja, the immediate priority is to turn its ambitions into stronger performances, both in domestic competition and on the African stage.

A Technical Adjustment With Longer-Term Implications

The addition of a Moroccan specialist reflects the club's willingness to adjust its technical structure in response to sporting demands. While the impact of the appointment will only become clear through subsequent performances, Sghir's responsibilities place him at the intersection of tactical preparation, video analysis and support for the head coach.

The coming matches will offer an early indication of how the expanded staff contributes to Raja's development. For Jémez, the task remains to build a competitive team capable of meeting the expectations associated with one of Morocco's most closely followed clubs.