The Washington Moroccan American Club has said it will honor former Moroccan international football player Khalil Azmi prior to the US-Morocco football (soccer) friendly match on June 1.
The Club told Morocco World News that the initiative seeks to recognize Azmi’s contribution to Moroccan football.
Now aged 57, Azmi was a key football player on the Moroccan national team in the early 90s. The Casablanca-born footballer was notably part of the Moroccan squad that participated in the 1994 World Cup in the US.
In a statement to Morocco World News (MWN), Azmi expressed his gratitude towards the Washington-based club for its initiative to honor him.
Young Khalil Azmi
“I would like to first thank Morocco World News for the coverage and the Moroccan diaspora community in the US. I am so happy for this homage,” the former international star said, further thanking the Washington Moroccan American Club for their initiative.
In addition to expressing his heartfelt appreciation of the work of the Moroccan community in the US, the Moroccan legend wished good luck to the Moroccan national team for both the Morocco-US friendly match and the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“I wish a successful journey for the Moroccan national football team during the 2022 World Cup. We will be present at the friendly US-Morocco match to cheer up and support the national squad,” he said.
Highlights of Khalil Azmi’s illustrious career
In addition to representing the Moroccan national team, the former goalkeeper played for Wydad Casablanca from 1984 to 1992, a period during which the former Morocco international won the hearts and minds of Wydad supporters for playing an essential role as the club secured three Moroccan league titles.
In particular, the former Atlas Lion made history with Wydad Casablanca by winning the 1992 African Champions League, the club’s first continental title. He also played for Raja Casablanca from 1992 to 1994.
Khalil Azmi along with the members of the Moroccan team that participated in the 1988 African Cup of Nations
Azmi made his football debut in national local football in the 80s. His international career began in 87, with a few appearances as a substitute goalkeeper to Badou Zaki, who retired in 1992.
As Morocco’s starting shot-keeper at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON), Azmi’s international career reached neigh heights when he was voted the best goalkeeper in Morocco and Africa.
In addition to the African Champions League, Azmi’s impressive trophy cabinet includes the 1989 Throne Cup in 1989, the 1989 Arab Champions League , and the 1992 Arab Premier Cup.
Azmi was voted the best goalkeeper in Morocco and Africa in 1992.
Victim of an ‘unjust’ campaign
While 1994 marked one of Azmi’s lifetime highlights with his participation in the FIFA World Cup in the US, the year also witnessed his early retirement from international football when he was only 28.
In recent interviews, the former goalkeeper recalls having a heavy heart as he announced his international retirement to end a campaign of toxicity in which he had found himself after Morocco lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia at the 1994 World Cup.
Being the main target of heavy criticism in what many observers of Moroccan football now agree was an “unjust” and unhealthy defamation campaign, the Atlas Lions goalkeeper decided to hang up his gloves and settle down in the US after the World Cup.
“I could not stand the criticism campaign against me after my return to Morocco. I also faced accusations from some fans after our loss against Saudi Arabia,” he said in one interview.
In another interview, Azmi said that he felt he retired “forcibly” because of the goal against him during the Saudi-Morocco match in 1994.
“I will not forget that match,” he said, emphasizing that while the goal many blamed on him was not his mistake, the shaming and character assassination he experienced after the US World Cup made it impossible for him to continue playing football.
“I was hurt a lot because I was very serious during my sports career and I devoted my life to football. However, there are those who work to poison the atmosphere and oppress people by spreading malicious rumors,” Azmi regretted.
Nearly three decades after his retirement, however, the now Virginia resident maintains his love for Moroccan football. He constantly follows updates about the “beautiful game” in Morocco and has said on numerous occasions that he hopes to see the new generations of Moroccan footballers win Morocco the prestige and glory that eluded earlier generations on the global and continental stages.
To honor Azmi’s team spirit and passionate contribution to Moroccan football, the Washington Moroccan American club said that it is more than legitimate to show gratitude to one of Morocco’s football gems for their contribution to the success of the sport in the North African country.
The event
The honoring of the Moroccan football player will also coincide with the Washington-based club’s 30th anniversary.
“The great idea is to put something on the side,” the club said, emphasizing that the event to honor Azmi will be private.
The Washington Moroccan American Club has announced that Morocco’s star goalkeeper Yassine Bounou will present the award to Azmi during the event.
Bounou has recently established himself among the best goalkeepers in the world -- he has just won the trophy of the best goalkeeper in Spain’s La Liga ahead of goalkeeping giants like Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak.
But Azmi, a keen watcher of Moroccan football and even keener observers of Moroccan goalkeepers, had long known that the FC Sevilla shot-stopper was destined for greatness. “Bounou is the future of Morocco’s [football],” Azmi said in an interview in 2014.
The coming tribute ceremony will be followed by a cruise parade, during which members of the Moroccan community in the US will participate in the preparation for the US-Morocco football game, the Washington Moroccan American Club noted in its statement.
Scheduled for June 1, the friendly match is part of the preparation for the upcoming giant international World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
“The big event will convene 150 to 200 people,” the club said, emphasizing that the attendees from the Moroccan community will be waving both the Moroccan and American flags to not only express their excitement to watch the game but also to celebrate the strong relations between the two countries.
The cruise parade will be marked by several festive activities, including those designed for children who will receive jerseys ahead of the friendly football game between the US and Morocco. It will be followed by a car parade, with the participants flocking to the stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio to watch the match.
“They will have the right to choose which jersey they want [Moroccan or American jerseys]. Some of the children are born to Moroccan or American parents and therefore, they will have full right to choose their favorite team,” the club said.