Morocco Mourns Football Legend Ahmed Faras, Iconic Captain and First African Golden Ball Winner
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s football community is mourning the loss of legendary striker Ahmed Faras, who passed away at the age of 78 following a long battle with illness. A national icon, Faras leaves behind an enduring legacy in both club and international football, having left an indelible mark on the sport in Morocco and across the African continent.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which had been covering Faras’s medical treatment in recognition of his immense contributions to the national sport, extended its deepest condolences to his family and admirers.
Loyal throughout his career to SC Chabab Mohammedia, his hometown club, Faras embodied sporting dedication and excellence. From his debut in 1964 until his retirement in 1982, he played 17 consecutive seasons, leading the club to its first national championship title in 1980. He was known for his technical finesse, leadership, and goal-scoring prowess, finishing as the league’s top scorer in 1969 and 1973.
Faras won multiple domestic titles with Chabab Mohammedia, including two Throne Cups (1972 and 1975), the National Super Cup (1975), and the Maghreb Cup Winners’ Cup in 1973.
On the international stage, Faras rose to legendary status with the Moroccan national team. As captain, he led the Atlas Lions in their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in Mexico in 1970. In 1975, he made history by becoming the first Moroccan to win the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award, known as the African Golden Ball.
Faras cemented his legacy by captaining Morocco to its only Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1976 in Ethiopia, where he was named the best player of the tournament.
Ahmed Faras’s passing marks the end of an era for Moroccan and African football. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of footballers and fans alike.
