Morocco has clinched a spot in the highly coveted FIFAe Nations Series for the second consecutive year. Emerging triumphant in the fiercely competitive Middle East and Africa (MENA) region, the Moroccan squad emerged as champions following the riveting conclusion of the global competition’s Playoffs that concluded on May 21. Led by the formidable lineup of Adam “Adam_Hatake01” Haberraih, Youssef “xcharifx” Charif, Marwan “MarwanMC9” Chahhou, and Aymane “AymaneSGE” Mokallik, the Moroccan team outperformed eight of the region’s finest teams, leaving no doubt about their superiority on the virtual pitch.
In an exhilarating start to their qualification campaign, the North African nation took the field with determination, securing an initial victory over Oman in Round 1 of the Winners Bracket. The opening match featured a fierce clash between Adam_Hatake01 and xcharifx against Oman’s formidable duo, Fahad “x_lukaku” Al-hasani and Fahar “FHR-JR” Alkindi. Despite their best efforts, both teams displayed remarkable resilience, resulting in a hard-fought 1-1 tie. Undeterred, Morocco made a strategic substitution in Game 2, introducing MarwanMC9 and AymaneSGE to the contest. This alteration proved advantageous, albeit marginally, as the Oman team continued to put up a spirited fight, resulting in a thrilling showdown that concluded with a 6-5 victory in favour of Morocco. With the aggregate score standing at 7-6 in favour of the North Africans, they advanced to Round 2 of the Winners Bracket, buoyed by their hard-earned triumph.
In the second round of the Winners Bracket, a thrilling encounter took place between two African teams, South Africa and the formidable Morocco side. The match unfolded in two legs, each with its own captivating storyline. In the first leg, South Africans Kaylan “Kaylan” Moodley and Julio “Beast” Bianchi showcased their exceptional skills, not only defeating their North African opponents Adam_Hatake01 and xcharifx but also cruising past them with an impressive 5-1 victory. The stage was set for an enthralling rematch in the second leg.
However, Game 2 brought about a significant change as MarwanMC9 and AymaneSGE replaced Adam_Hatake01 and xcharifx, injecting new energy and determination into their team. With momentum on their side, the Moroccan side demonstrated their prowess, overpowering an unchanged South African team and securing an impressive 6-0 win. The aggregate score now stood at 7-5 in favour of the North Africans, propelling them forward in the Winners Bracket while South Africa faced the challenge of regaining their position through the Losers Brackets.
Morocco triumphed in Round 3 of the Winners Bracket, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown against Qatar with a coveted spot in the Final on the line. The Moroccan team entered Game 1 with MarwanMC9 and AymaneSGE, two players who had already showcased their exceptional skills throughout the competition. True to form, the duo delivered an outstanding performance, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Qatari team led by Ahmed “AaMeghessib” AlMeghessib and Dn8yRo. In Game 2, the Moroccans brought in Adam_Hatake01 and xcharifx, who displayed remarkable prowess and comfortably clinched a 3-1 win over their Qatari counterparts. With the aggregate score now standing at 5-2, Morocco not only secured their place in the Playoff Finals but also earned the distinction of making their second consecutive appearance in the main FIFAe Nations Series showpiece in July.
In an exciting turn of events, the Moroccan team will be accompanied by their African counterparts, South Africa, in the highly anticipated main event of the FIFAe Nations Series. Despite facing defeat in Round 2 of the Winners Bracket, South Africa showcased an impressive comeback in the Losers Bracket. They exhibited sheer dominance as they triumphed over the North African squad, Egypt, with a narrow 6-5 aggregate scoreline in Round 2. Undeterred by the challenge, they further solidified their position by edging out Kuwait 5-4 in Round 3. In a resounding victory, South Africa effortlessly sailed past Qatar with an impressive 8-4 aggregate score, securing their spot in the FIFAe Nations Series. This remarkable feat set the stage for an intense Playoff Finals rematch against Morocco, in a clash that promised an exhilarating clash between these two formidable teams.
In an exhilarating showdown at the Playoff Finals, the stage was set for an epic clash between the Moroccan duo, Adam_Hatake01 and xcharifx, and their formidable opponents, Thabo “Bingo_Rick5” Moloi and Zaid “ZaidApril” April. Seeking redemption, the South African team was determined to trounce their adversaries after suffering defeat in Round 2 of the Winners Bracket and would take a huge step towards achieving that with a resounding 6-0 victory in Game 1 of the Finals.
However, the relentless spirit showcased by MarwanMC9 and AymaneSGE throughout the competition underscored the potency of their partnership. These exceptional players consistently saved the Moroccan side from the jaws of defeat with their awe-inspiring performances. As Game 2 of the Playoff Finals unfolded, the duo once again demonstrated their dominance against a revised South African lineup led by Kaylan and Beast. With an astonishing 7-0 triumph, MarwanMC9 and AymaneSGE sealed their fate as they secured a remarkable 7-6 victory on aggregate.
This outstanding achievement crowned Morocco as the undisputed MENA champions, heralding their ascent to the pinnacle of excellence in anticipation of the highly anticipated 2023 FIFAe Nations Series scheduled for July.
In the aftermath of their triumph, Driss Malki, the Team Manager (FIFAe) for the Fédération Royale Marocaine des Jeux Électroniques (FRMJE), expressed his admiration for the team’s accomplishment and praised Head Coach Saad Bassy, crediting their collective efforts for the remarkable feat. “As Team Manager of this team, I can only thank these talented young players and their Saad Bassy coach (The Special Two) for this huge achievement.”
Furthermore, Malki extended his appreciation to the Fédération Royale Marocaine des Jeux Électroniques for their unwavering dedication and support. Their commitment to providing essential resources to both players and staff was acknowledged as instrumental in the team’s success. “I would also like to thank the Fédération Royale Marocaine des Jeux Électroniques for the hard work done and the resources made available to the players and staff. The adventure continues. See you in the World Cup, inchallah.”