CAF President describes late Ahmed Faras as 'outstanding leader, both on & off the field’

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, extended on Thursday his condolences to the family of Ahmed Faras, describing the late Moroccan football icon as “an exceptional leader, both on and off the field.”

In a message published on the CAF website, Motsepe conveyed his deep condolences, as well as those of CAF’s 54 member associations, to Faras’s family, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), and the entire Moroccan football community.

Faras, who passed away on Wednesday in Mohammedia at the age of 78 after a long illness, was named African Player of the Year in 1975 and led Morocco to its first CAF Africa Cup of Nations title in 1976.

“His contributions to football in Morocco and on the African Continent laid the foundation for the current globally respected Moroccan and African Football players,” Motsepe said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, teammates, the [Royal Moroccan Football Federation] and its President Fouzi Lekjaa, and the people of Morocco. Ahmed Faras will forever live in our hearts and minds. May his Soul Rest in Peace,” he added.

Born in 1946 in Mohammedia, Faras earned his first call-up to Morocco’s U-23 side in 1965 before joining the senior national team a year later. During his international career, he featured at the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico and the Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 1972, 1976, which Morocco won, and 1978. He also represented Morocco at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, reaching the second round.

At club level, Faras spent his entire career with Chabab Mohammedia from 1965 to 1982, winning the Moroccan league title in 1980 and the Throne Cup in 1972 and 1975.

Individually, he was the top scorer in the national league in 1969 and 1973 with 16 goals each season, and won the African Ballon d’Or in 1975, a crowning achievement that elevated his legacy on the continent.