2024 Season Begins: Moroccan Clubs Gear Up for an Exciting Botola Pro D1

Following a remarkable season etched in the memories of Moroccan football fans, highlighted by an intense race between titleholders Raja Casablanca and AS FAR, the Botola Pro D1 « Inwi » returns on Friday, August 30, bringing with it a new wave of excitement and suspense.

The sixteen teams in the league, each driven by different ambitions, will strive to deliver a show that will enhance the positive image of Moroccan football on the international stage.

As the league enters its 15th season since the transition to professionalism, a new phase begins, following the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s (FRMF) approval in March of the National Professional Football League’s (LNFP) proposal to introduce a playoff system for relegation and promotion in Botola Pro D1 « Inwi. » The new system will see the 13th and 14th placed teams from the first division face the 4th and 3rd placed teams from the second division in home-and-away playoffs, offering more opportunities for Botola Pro D2 clubs to reach the top tier.

Moroccan football giants like Raja Casablanca, AS FAR, Wydad Casablanca, and Renaissance Berkane seem determined to maintain their dominance, while other teams aim to avoid past mistakes and potentially secure a spot in African competitions.

Newly promoted teams, COD Meknes and Difaa El Jadida, will be focused on retaining their top-flight status, backed by their passionate supporters and the desire to write new chapters in their clubs’ histories.

Another notable aspect of this season is the influx of foreign coaches. Out of the sixteen Botola Pro D1 clubs, half will be led by foreign managers. For instance, Raja will be coached by Bosnian Rusmir Cviko, Wydad by South African Rulani Mokwena, and AS FAR by Polish Czeslaw Michniewicz, while Renaissance Berkane continues under Tunisian Mouain Chaabani.

COD Meknes has secured Tunisian Abdelhay Ben Sultan, Maghreb Fès will be led by Italian Arena Guglielmo, Moghreb Tétouan by Croatian Dalibor Starcevic, and Portuguese Jorge Da Silva will coach Difaa El Jadida.

Finally, the draw revealed that the « derby » between Raja and Wydad Casablanca will take place during the 11th and 26th rounds of the championship.

Here is the schedule for the first matchday:

Friday, August 30

• 17:00: Difaa El Jadida – Jeunesse Sportive Soualem

• 19:00: Chabab Mohammedia – AS FAR

• 21:00: Union Touarga – FUS Rabat

• Maghreb Fès – Wydad Casablanca

Saturday, August 31

• 17:00: Raja Casablanca – Renaissance Berkane

• 19:00: Moghreb Tétouan – Olympic Safi

• COD Meknes – Renaissance Zemamra

• 21:00: Hassania Agadir – Ittihad Tanger