Botola

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Botola
Organising bodyRoyal Moroccan Football Federation
Founded1956
CountryMorocco
ConfederationCAF
Number of teams16
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toBotola 2
Domestic cup(s)Moroccan Throne Cup
Moroccan Super Cup (defunct)
International cup(s)CAF Champions League
CAF Confederation Cup
Current championsAS FAR (13th title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsWydad AC (22 titles)
TV partnersSNRT (Arryadia)
Current: 2023–24 Botola

The Botola Pro (Arabic: البطولة الإحترافيّة, romanizedal-buṭūla l-iḥtirāfiyya), is a Moroccan professional league for men's association football clubs. At the top of the Moroccan football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Botola 2.

Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 30 matches each (playing each team in the league twice, home and away) totaling 240 matches in the season. Most games are played in the afternoons of Saturdays and Sundays, the other games during weekday evenings. It is sponsored by Inwi[1] and thus known as the Botola Pro Inwi. From 2015 to 2019, the league was called Botola Maroc Telecom for sponsorship reasons.

The competition formed as the FRMF on 20 February 1992 following the decision of clubs in the Botola Pro to break away from the UNAF, which had been founded in 1911, and take advantage of a lucrative television rights deal. This deal is worth 55 million MAD a year domestically as of 2015–16, with Arryadia securing the domestic rights to broadcast games respectively. The league generates 123 million MAD per year in domestic and international television rights.

The Moroccan top-flight has produced the second-highest number of CAF Champions League titles, with three Moroccan clubs having won seven African trophies in total.[2][3] They also produced the highest number of CAF Confederation Cup titles, with five Moroccan clubs having won seven African confederation trophies.[4]

The current champions are ASFAR who won the title in 2022–23 season.[5]

History[edit]

Botola trophy

The Moroccan Football Championship was launched in the Sultanate in 11 June 1915. Organised by the Moroccan football league. The new organisation under the Royal Moroccan Football Federation took place in January 1957, Wydad AC was crowned with the edition of the 1956–57 season, which was its sixth title.[6] In the following season, the Kawkab Marrakech club was crowned, and then the following two seasons were crowned by the youth star and KAC Kénitra.[7][8][9]

The start of great rivalry (1960–1970)[edit]

AS FAR dominated the championship for four consecutive seasons despite the competition being played by strong teams, namely Maghreb de Fès and Kawkab Marrakech, where the Askari Club was able to enter history as the first club to achieve four consecutive titles in the years (1961–1964).[10][11][12][13] Then in the 1964–1965 season, Maghreb de Fès won its first title, then Wydad AC won the league title in the 1965–1966 season, which is the beginning of the competition between Raja CA and Wydad AC in the tournament, where the derby was repeated due to the public entering the stadium which ended with Raja winning 2–1; But when it was replayed, it ended in a 0–0 draw, and thus Wydad AC won the championship by one point over Raja CA.[14][15][16]

New Champions (1971–1995)[edit]

New teams were able to crown the championship title during this period, including RS Settat,[17] Racing de Casablanca,[18] Raja Beni Mellal,[19] MC Oujda,[20] SCC Mohammédia,[21] and others that had previously been crowned as Wydad, who won the league for three consecutive seasons. Kenitra was able to obtain the championship in the 1973–1972 season in a dramatic way in a season known as the famous case of the Car Dial Fez, where it noticed the survival of Wydad from going down to the second national division due to the cancellation of the interview of Maghreb de Fès with Wydad AC in the last round due to a malfunction in the bus that was carrying the players of Maghreb Fez, which automated a loss for fez and Wydad got 4 points, KAC Kénitra won the league.[22]

Maghreb de Fès was able to add two more titles to its treasury at this stage. KAC Kénitra managed to win two successive titles,[23][24] while Olympique de Casablanca won their first title,[25] and the competition was strong between Wydad AC and the AS FAR, where the Military Club won three titles, bringing the total of its titles to 10 to hang its first star, and then Wydad was able to win four titles, bringing its total titles to 15. While the Kawkab Marrakech club was satisfied with its second title only, while another new competitor appeared, Raja CA, which won its first title in the 1988–1987 season.[26]

Raja's Glory (1995–2002)[edit]

In the seven seasons between 1995 and 2002, Raja CA arose quickly making it one of the most supported club in Morocco, as it managed to obtain the championship for six consecutive seasons in a golden period during which a generation of excellent players appeared. This period coincided with the emergence of Raja CA on the scene International in the African Champions League and Club World Cup.[27] Appearing in 3 CAF Champions League Final winning 2 but losing the 2002 CAF Champions League Final[28] and ending 7th in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship.[29]

New champions (2002–2011)[edit]

Hassania Agadir managed to win the championship twice in a row, despite the competition from the two poles of the economic capital.[30] After that, the tournament became more exciting between the two poles of Casablanca, Wydad and ASFAR as the tournament was not decided until the last two rounds or the last round. FAR and Wydad Casablanca won two titles, while Olympique Khouribga won its first title in its history.[31] While Raja continued the race to try to catch up with Wydad and the Army, as it won three titles, bringing its total to ten titles, to be the third team to suspend the ten titles. Botola was placed third as the best African league of the world of the first decade (2001-2010) by IFFHS.[32]

The start of Botola Pro (2011–present)[edit]

In light of the league's strength, it was necessary for the Moroccan League to move Moroccan football from the abyss to professionalism, so the first professional season was 2011–12 which was crowned by the Maghreb Tetouan club for the first time in its history.[33] Raja CA managed to win the title in the 2012–13 season, then followed by Maghreb Tetouan in the 2013–14 Botola.[34] In the 2014–15 season, Wydad Casablanca returned after 5 years again to win the 18th title in its history. FUS Rabat also won the 2015–16 season title for the first time in its history,[35] while Wydad Casablanca won the 2016–17 Botola League title for the 19th time in its history. In 2017–18, IR Tanger managed to win their 1st league title in its history.[36] On 4 October 2020, the FRMF introduced the Virtual Offside Line in Botola.[37] Botola has been ranked in the top 40 world's strongest national league of the decade by International Federation of Football History & Statistics.[38] On 25 May 2021, Botola was placed third as the best African league of the world of the second decade (2011-2020) by IFFHS.[39] On 27 December 2022, The President of the National League stated that the winter transfer market will depend on the financial status of the clubs and to resolve all standing disputes related to player contracts, as well as the technical and medical staff of the clubs.[40] Since 2018, Botola has been ranked top 3 strongest African leagues by IFFHS.[41][42]

Competition format[edit]

There are 16 clubs in the Botola. During the course of a season (from August to May) each club plays the others twice (a double round-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents', for 30 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank.

Champion and runner-up participate in the African Champions League. The third-place team and Coupe du Trône winner qualify to participate in the African Confederation Cup.

Promotion and relegation[edit]

A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Botola and the Botola 2. The two lowest placed teams in the Botola are relegated to the Botola 2, and the top two teams from the Botola 2 promoted to the Botola.

Number of clubs in Botola throughout the years
Period (in years) No. of clubs
1956–1958 16 clubs
1958–1966 14 clubs
1966–67 16 clubs
1967–68 18 clubs
1968–1980 16 clubs
1980–81 20 clubs
1981–82 18 clubs
1982–1985 16 clubs
1985–86 20 clubs
1986–87 24 clubs (2 groups) + playoffs
1987–88 18 clubs
1988–present 16 clubs

Sponsorship[edit]

Since 2020, inwi has been the official sponsor of the Botola for a 15 million dirham per year contract.[43]

Period Sponsor Brand
2011–2015 No sponsor Botola Pro
2015–2019 Maroc Telecom Botola Maroc Telecom[44]
2019–2020 No sponsor Botola Pro 1
2020–present Inwi Botola Pro 1 Inwi[45]

Broadcasting rights[edit]

In September 2007, the SNRT Group (Al Aoula, 2M TV and Arryadia) paid 225 million dirhams for the rights to broadcast the following three seasons of the Botola.[46]

Throughout the week, every game played in the Botola is broadcast live by at least one TV channel.

Botola clubs in Africa[edit]

The Botola is currently the first in the CAF 5-year ranking of African leagues based on their performances in African competitions over a five-year period, ahead of Egypt's Egyptian Premier League and Tunisia's Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1.

Raja CA and Wydad AC have been in the top ten most successful clubs in African football in terms of total African trophies. These two clubs, along with AS FAR and Maghreb de Fès, are four of the most successful teams in African competition history. Hassania Agadir, Olympique Club de Khouribga, Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi and Fath Union Sport are the joint fourth-most participating Moroccan team in the Champions League with Maghreb de Fès — after Raja CA, Wydad AC and AS FAR. AS FAR is the first Moroccan club to win an international cup after defeating AS Bilima in the 1985 African Cup of Champions Clubs Finals.[47]

Moroccan Clubs are the most titled in the CAF Confederation Cup with 7 titles and the second most titled Clubs in the CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup. FAR Rabat became the first Moroccan club to play back-to-back finals in the African Confederation Cup winning the 2005 Confederation Cup[48] and losing the 2006 Confederation Cup.[49]

Qualification for African competitions[edit]

Association ranking for 2023–24 CAF competitions[edit]

Association ranking for 2023–24 CAF Champions League and 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup will be based on results from each CAF tournament (Champions League and Confederation Cup) from 2018–19 to the 2022–23 season.

Legend
  • CL: CAF Champions League
  • CC: CAF Confederation Cup
  •   Associations ranked 1–12 are eligible to enter two teams in each CAF club competition.
Rank Association 2018–19
(× 1)
2019–20
(× 2)
2020–21
(× 3)
2021–22
(× 4)
2022-23
(× 5)
Total
2023 2022 Mvt CL CC CL CC CL CC CL CC CL CC
1 1 -  Morocco 5 7 8 8 4 6 9 5 8 2 180
2 2 -  Egypt 4 5 11 6 8 3 7 4 8 2.5 172.5
3 3 -  Algeria 5 1 3 1 6 5 7 1 6 5 134
4 5 +1 +1  South Africa 6 0 3 0.5 8 2 5 4 4 3 114
5 4 -1 -1  Tunisia 8 6 6 0 4 3 5 1 4 2 101

Historical rankings since 2011[edit]

Legend
  •   Associations ranked 1–12 and eligible to enter two teams in each CAF club competition.
  • — No rank (0 Points)
Association Rank (Points)
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24
 Morocco 8 (20) 7 (27) 4 (62) 5 (53) 4 (44) 7 (29) 7 (24) 6 (41) 4 (84) 2 (153) 1 (190) 1 (183) 1 (194) 1 (180)

Club Ranking for the 2023–24 CAF club season[edit]

The club ranking is used for seeding in the 2 CAF club competitions; the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. Pending equality in ranking points, the team receiving more points in the previous season will be considered as the higher-ranked team.[50]

The club ranking for the 2023–24 CAF Champions League and the 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup was based on results from each CAF club competition from 2018-19 to the 2022–23 season.

Rank Club 2018-19
(× 1)
2019-20
(× 2)
2020-21
(× 3)
2021-22
(× 4)
2022-23
(× 5)
Total
1 Egypt Al-Ahly 3 6 6 5 6 83
2 Morocco Wydad AC 5 4 4 6 5 74
3 Tunisia Espérance de Tunis 6 3 4 3 4 56
4 South Africa Mamelodi Sundowns 4 3 3 3 4 51
5 Morocco Raja CA 1 4 5 3 3 51
6 Egypt Zamalek 5 5 2 2 2 39
7 Morocco RS Berkane 4 5 1 5 0 37
30 Morocco ASFAR Rabat 0 0 0 0 2 10
37 Morocco Hassania Agadir 2 3 0 0 0 8

Stadiums[edit]

Current stadiums[edit]

Casablanca Tanger Rabat Agadir
Mohammed V Stadium Ibn Batouta Stadium Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium Adrar Stadium
Capacity: 67,000[51] Capacity: 65,000[52] Capacity: 53,000[53] Capacity: 45,480[54]
Fes Oujda Safi Berkane
Fez Stadium Honneur Stadium El Massira Stadium Berkane Municipal Stadium
Capacity: 45,000[55] Capacity: 30,000[56] Capacity: 15,000[57] Capacity: 15,000[58]
Mohammedia Rabat Tétouan Berrechid
El Bachir Stadium Moulay Hassan Stadium Saniat Rmel Stadium Berrechid Municipal Stadium
Capacity: 15,000[59] Capacity: 12,000[60] Capacity: 10,000[61] Capacity: 5,000[62]

Other stadiums[edit]

Marrakech El Aaiún Meknes Kénitra
Grand Marrakech Stadium Sheikh Mohamed Laghdaf Stadium Honneur Stadium Kenitra Municipal Stadium
Capacity: 45,240[63] Capacity: 30,000[64] Capacity: 20,000[65] Capacity: 15,000[66]
Al Hoceima Khemisset El Jadida Rabat
Mimoun Al Arsi Stadium 18 November Stadium Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium FUS Stadium
Capacity: 12,500[67] Capacity: 10,000[68] Capacity: 10,000[69] Capacity: 10,000[70]
Khouribga
Phosphate Stadium
Capacity: 10,000[71]

List of champions[edit]

Season Champion Runner-up Top scorer Team Goals
1956–57 Wydad AC (6) Kawkab Marrakech Morocco Abdelkarim Zidani KAC Marrakech 18
1957–58 Kawkab Marrakech Wydad AC Morocco Mohamed Chtaini Fejjar Difaâ El Jadida 22
1958–59 Étoile de Casablanca Wydad AC Morocco Mohamed Khalfi Wydad AC 21
1959–60 Kenitra AC AS FAR Morocco Moussa Hanoune Raja CA 22
1960–61 AS FAR Maghreb Fez Morocco Harchaoui Étoile de Casablanca 19
1961–62 AS FAR (2) Racing de Casablanca Morocco M'jidou
Morocco Abdelkarim Zidani
Morocco Harchaoui
Chabab Mohammédia
KAC Marrakech
Étoile de Casablanca
13
1962–63 AS FAR (3) Kawkab Marrakech Morocco Kébir Mezzour FUS Rabat 17
1963–64 AS FAR (4) Stade Marocain France Robert Traba Chabab Mohammédia 23
1964–65 Maghreb Fez Racing de Casablanca Morocco Fettah Filali FUS Rabat 16
1965–66 Wydad AC (7) Raja CA Morocco Hmida Azzaoui Mouloudia d'Oujda 14
1966–67 AS FAR (5) Renaissance de Settat Morocco Houmane Jarir
Morocco Abdelatif Chiadmi
Raja CA
Difaâ El Jadida
18
1967–68 AS FAR (6) Renaissance de Settat Morocco Hassan Chicha Difaa El Jadida 19
1968–69 Wydad AC (8) Maghreb Fez Morocco Ahmed Faras Chabab Mohammédia 16
1969–70 AS FAR (7) Union Sidi Kacem Morocco Abdallah Bendriss Union Sidi Kacem 17
1970–71 Renaissance de Settat AS FAR Morocco Abdallah Bendriss Union Sidi Kacem 19
1971–72 Racing de Casablanca Wydad AC Morocco Miloud Ouazir Difaâ El Jadida 18
1972–73 Kenitra AC (2) FUS Rabat Morocco Ahmed Faras Chabab Mohammédia 16
1973–74 Raja de Beni Mellal Raja CA Morocco Abdelhay
Morocco Ahmed
AS Salé
TAS Casablanca
11
1974–75 Mouloudia Oujda Maghreb Fez Morocco Hassan Chicha Difaa El Jadida 12
1975–76 Wydad AC (9) Difaa El Jadida Morocco Hassan Amcharrat Chabab Mohammédia 17
1976–77 Wydad AC (10) Mouloudia Oujda Morocco Mohamed Boussati KAC Kenitra 17
1977–78 Wydad AC (11) Maghreb Fez Morocco Mustapha Chahid Wydad AC 16
1978–79 Maghreb Fez (2) KAC Kenitra Morocco Achibat Renaissance Berkane 17
1979–80 Chabab Mohammédia Wydad AC Morocco Idriss Ouadich AS FAR 15
1980–81 Kenitra AC (3) FUS Rabat Morocco Mohamed Boussati KAC Kenitra 17
1981–82 Kenitra AC (4) Wydad AC Morocco Mohamed Boussati KAC Kenitra 25
1982–83 Maghreb Fez (3) Renaissance de Berkane Morocco Abdeslam Laghrissi AS FAR 14
1983–84 AS FAR (8) Olympique Khouribga Morocco Mjidou
Morocco Alaeddine Tmimi
Wydad AC
Mouloudia d'Oujda
11
1984–85 Maghreb Fez (4) KAC Kenitra Morocco Hmida Boushaba Renaissance Berkane 13
1985–86 Wydad AC (12) Raja CA Morocco Hassan Nader
Morocco Mohammed Chaouch
Wydad AC
Kawkab Marrakech
13
1986–87 AS FAR (9) Kawkab Marrakech Morocco Abderrazak Khairi
Morocco Hassan Nader
AS FAR
Wydad AC
12
1987–88 Raja CA Kawkab Marrakech Morocco Lahcen Anaflous AS FAR 17
1988–89 AS FAR (10) Maghreb Fez Morocco Hassan Nader Wydad AC 18
1989–90 Wydad AC (13) IR Tanger Morocco Abdeslam Laghrissi AS FAR 22
1990–91 Wydad AC (14) AS FAR Morocco Lahcen Anaflous AS FAR 15
1991–92 Kawkab Marrakech (2) Raja CA Morocco Lahcen Anaflous AS FAR 11
1992–93 Wydad AC (15) Raja CA Morocco Youssef Fertout Wydad AC 18
1993–94 Olympique de Casablanca Wydad AC Morocco Ahmed Bahja Kawkab Marrakech 14
1994–95 COD Meknès Olympique de Casablanca Morocco Abdeslam Laghrissi AS FAR 15
1995–96 Raja CA (2) Olympique Khouribga Morocco Soufir Jeunesse El Massira 16
1996–97 Raja CA (3) Wydad AC Morocco Anane AS Salé 17
1997–98 Raja CA (4) Kawkab Marrakech Morocco Rachid Rokki Chabab Mohammédia 15
1998–99 Raja CA (5) Kawkab Marrakech Morocco Abdelaziz Zouine Olympique Khouribga 16
1999–00 Raja CA (6) Wydad AC Morocco Mustapha Bidoudane FUS Rabat 17
2000–01 Raja CA (7) FUS Rabat Morocco Samir Sarsar Kawkab Marrakech 12
2001–02 Hassania Agadir Wydad AC Morocco Omar Zaouit Tihad Sportif Casablanca 14
2002–03 Hassania Agadir (2) Raja CA Morocco Mustapha Bidoudane Raja CA 14
2003–04 Raja CA (8) AS FAR Morocco Mustapha Bidoudane Raja CA 13
2004–05 AS FAR (11) Raja CA Morocco Mohamed Armoumen AS FAR 12
2005–06 Wydad AC (16) AS FAR Guinea Mamadou Ba Camara Olympique Khouribga 9
2006–07 Olympique Khouribga AS FAR Morocco Jawad Ouaddouch AS FAR 12
2007–08 AS FAR (12) IZK Khemisset Morocco Abderrazak Lamnasfi AS FAR 13
2008–09 Raja CA (9) Difaa El Jadida Morocco Mustapha Allaoui AS FAR 14
2009–10 Wydad AC (17) Raja CA Morocco Omar Hassi Widad Fez 12
2010–11 Raja CA (10) Maghreb Fez Morocco Jawad Ouaddouch AS FAR 11
Botola Pro
2011–12 Moghreb Tétouan FUS Rabat Chad Karl Max Barthelemy Difaa El Jadida 17
2012–13 Raja CA (11) AS FAR Morocco Abderazak Hamdallah Olympic Safi 15
2013–14 Moghreb Tétouan (2) Raja CA Morocco Zouhaur Naim
Ivory Coast Zoumana Kone
Moghreb Tétouan
Hassania Agadir
11
2014–15 Wydad AC (18) Olympique Khouribga Gabon Malick Evouna Wydad AC 16
2015–16 FUS Rabat Wydad AC Morocco Mahdi Naghmi AS FAR 12[72]
2016–17 Wydad AC (19) Difaa El Jadida Liberia William Jebor Wydad AC 19
2017–18 IR Tanger Wydad AC Morocco Mouhssine Iajour Raja CA 17
2018–19 Wydad AC (20) Raja CA Morocco Mouhssine Iajour
Togo Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba
Raja CA
RS Berkane
19
2019–20 Raja CA (12) Wydad AC Morocco Brahim El Bahraoui Rapide Oued Zem 16
2020–21 Wydad AC (21) Raja CA Morocco Ayoub El Kaabi Wydad Casablanca 18
2021–22 Wydad AC (22) Raja CA Republic of the Congo Guy Mbenza Wydad Casablanca 16
2022–23 AS FAR (13) Wydad AC Senegal Bouly Sambou Wydad Casablanca 13

Performances[edit]

Performance by club[edit]

Club Winners Runners-up Winning Seasons
Wydad AC ⭐⭐
22
17
1947–48, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1985–86, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22
ASFAR
13
7
1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1988–89, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2022–23
Raja CA
12
12
1987–88, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2003–04, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2019–20
Maghreb Fes
4
7
1964–65, 1978–79, 1982–83, 1984–85
KAC Kenitra
4
2
1959–60, 1972–73, 1980–81, 1981–82
Kawkab Marrakech
2
6
1957–58, 1991–92
Hassania Agadir
2
1
2001–02, 2002–03
Moghreb Tétouan
2
2011–12, 2013–14
FUS Rabat
1
5
2015–16
Olympique Khouribga
1
3
2006–07
Racing de Casablanca
1
2
1971–72
Renaissance de Settat
1
2
1970–71
IR Tanger
1
1
2017–18
Olympique de Casablanca
1
1
1993–94
Mouloudia Oujda
1
1
1974–75
CODM de Meknès
1
1994–95
Chabab Mohammédia
1
1979–80
Raja de Beni Mellal
1
1973–74
Étoile de Casablanca
1
1958–59

By city[edit]

City Championships Clubs
Casablanca 37 Wydad (22), Raja (12), Racing de Casablanca (1), Olympique de Casablanca (1), Étoile de Casablanca (1)
Rabat 14 AS FAR (13), FUS Rabat (1)
Fez 4 Maghreb Fes (4)
Kenitra 4 KAC Kénitra (4)
Marrakesh 2 Kawkab Marrakech (2)
Agadir 2 Hassania Agadir (2)
Tétouan 2 Moghreb Tétouan (2)
Khouribga 1 Olympique Club de Khouribga (1)
Settat 1 RS Settat (1)
Tangier 1 IR Tanger (1)
Oujda 1 MC Oujda (1)
Meknes 1 COD Meknès (1)
Mohammedia 1 SCC Mohammédia (1)
Beni Mellal 1 Raja Beni Mellal (1)

By Region[edit]

Region Championships Clubs
Casablanca-Settat 39 Wydad (22), Raja (12), Racing de Casablanca (1), Olympique de Casablanca (1), Étoile de Casablanca (1), RS Settat (1), SCC Mohammédia (1)
Rabat-Salé-Kénitra 18 AS FAR (13), KAC Kénitra (4), FUS Rabat (1)
Fès-Meknès 5 Maghreb Fes (4), COD Meknès (1)
Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima 3 Moghreb Tétouan (2), IR Tanger (1)
Marrakech-Safi 2 Kawkab Marrakech (2)
Souss-Massa 2 Hassania Agadir (2)
Béni Mellal-Khénifra 2 Olympique Club de Khouribga (1), Raja Beni Mellal (1)
Oriental 1 MC Oujda (1)

Performance comparison since 2011[edit]

Performance comparison of top teams since 2011.

Teams 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19 19–20 20–21 21–22 22–23
WAC 3 4 6 1 2 1[a] 2 1[a] 2 1 1[a] 2
RCA 4 1 2 8 5 3[a] 6 2[a] 1 2 2[a] 5
ASFAR 7 2 7 11 4 6 8 14 6 3 3[a] 1
MAT 1 5 1 4 6 12 11 13 7 16 - 13
FUS 2 6 3 5 1[a] 7 4 9 4 10 5 3
IRT - - - - 3 5 1 5 14 8 13 14
DHJ 5 9 5 7 13 2 5 8 11 11 8 16
OCK 10 13 14 2 12 11 12 11 15 - 10 15
RSB - 7 9 9 7 4 9 7 3 4 6 6
HUSA 12 10 8 6 8 8 3 3 8 6 12 7
MAS 6 3 14 10 16[b] - - - - 7 4 10
KACM - - 4 3 14 13 14 15 - - - -
OCS 8 12 11 12 9 9 7 4 13 11 7 4
  League champions
  Champions League
  Confederation Cup
  Arab Cup
  Relegation
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Participated also in the Arab Cup.
  2. ^ Despite relegation, MAS qualified for the Confederation Cup as Throne Cup winners.

All-time Botola Pro table (since 2011)[edit]

The all-time Botola Pro table is an overall record of all match results, points, and goals of every team that has played in Botola Pro since its new format inception in 2011. The table is accurate as of the end of the 2022–23 season. Teams in bold are part of the 2023–24 Botola season.

All-time Botola Pro table (2011–)
Pos Team S Pts GP W D L GF GA GD 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th T Debut Since/
Last App
Best
1 Wydad AC 12 688 360 193 109 58 532 288 +244 5 4 1 1 11 2011–12 2011–12 1
2 Raja CA 12 640 360 176 112 72 521 309 +212 2 4 1 1 2 10 2011–12 2011–12 1
4 AS FAR 12 554 360 144 122 94 448 354 +94 1 1 2 1 5 2011–12 2011–12 1
3 Fath US 12 558 360 145 123 92 400 308 +92 1 1 2 2 2 8 2011–12 2011–12 1
5 DH Jadida 12 481 360 118 126 116 383 371 +12 1 3 4 2011–12 2011–12 2
6 RS Berkane 11 472 330 114 130 86 345 301 +44 1 2 3 2012–13 2012–13 3
7 HUS Agadir 12 466[a] 360 116 120 124 383 397 −14 2 2 2011–12 2011–12 3
8 MA Tétouan 11 459 330 116 111 103 364 353 +11 2 1 1 4 2011–12 2020–21 1
9 OC Safi 12 450 360 107 129 124 353 411 −58 2 2 2011–12 2011–12 4
10 OC Khouribga 11 383[b] 330 92 109 129 323 392 −69 1 1 2011–12 2019–20 2
11 IR Tanger 8 317 240 82 71 87 233 253 −20 1 1 2 4 2015–16 2015–16 1
12 Maghreb AS 8 290 240 64 108 68 241 239 +2 1 1 2 2011–12 2020–21 3
13 CR Al Hoceima 8 265[c] 240 64 72 104 215 295 −80 2011–12 2018–19 8
14 KAC Marrakech 6 220 180 55 55 70 183 204 −21 1 1 2 2013–14 2018–19 3
15 MC Oujda 6 219 180 54 57 69 195 215 −20 2 2 2015–16 2018–19 5
16 Kenitra AC 6 185 180 41 62 77 151 222 −71 2011–12 2016–17 11
17 RC Oued Zem 5 172 150 40 52 58 132 167 −35 2017–18 2017–18 9
18 CAY Berrechid 4 134 120 32 38 50 117 157 −40 2018–19 2018–19 6
19 SCC Mohammédia 3 100 90 23 31 36 80 93 −13 2020–21 2020–21 9
20 CA Khénifra 3 95 90 21 32 37 78 102 −24 2014–15 2017–18 10
21 WA Fes 3 89 90 19 32 39 77 112 −35 2011–12 2013–14 11
22 JS Soualem 2 72 60 18 18 24 68 78 −10 2021–22 2021–22 9
23 RCA Zemamra 2 64 60 15 19 26 71 81 −10 2019–20 2020–21 12
24 COD Meknès 2 60[d] 60 15 16 29 44 66 −22 2011–12 2012–13 10
25 IZ Khemisset 2 51 60 10 21 29 38 72 −34 2011–12 2014–15 16
26 US Touarga 1 36 30 9 9 12 34 40 −6 2022–23 2022–23 8
27 R Beni Mellal 2 36 60 5 21 34 35 84 −49 2012–13 2019–20 16
28 AS Sale 1 29 30 6 11 13 25 33 −8 2013–14 2013–14 15
29 JS Massira 1 28 30 7 7 16 24 42 −18 2011–12 2011–12 15
30 JS Kasbah Tadla 1 28 30 7 7 16 25 47 −22 2016–17 2016–17 15
31 Racing AC 1 17 30 3 8 19 22 54 −32 2017–18 2017–18 16
League or status for 202324 season
2023–24 Botola
2023–24 Botola 2
2023-24 Amateur National
2023–24 Amateur Division I
2023–24 Amateur Division II
2023–24 Amateur Division III
Club no longer exists
  1. ^ HUSA deducted 2 points due to the involvement of 4 foreign players against CRA in 2011/12 Season
  2. ^ OCK deducted 2 points because of two matches being awarded against them in 2013/14 season
  3. ^ 2 points were added to CRA in 2011/12 season because of HUSA's inclusion of 4 foreign players against them. And in 2013/14 season 1 point deducted because of one match being awarded against them
  4. ^ CODM deducted 1 point after the masses rioted in front of MAS 2011/12 season

Player records[edit]

Most goals (since 2011)[edit]

The table shows the Botola Pro top scorers since its new format inception in 2011. The table is accurate as of the end of the 2022–23 season[citation needed].

Boldface indicates a player still active in Botola Pro1. Italics indicates a player still active outside Botola Pro1.

Rank Player Club(s) Years active Goals
1 Morocco Mouhcine Iajour Wydad AC (5), Raja CA (53), MA Tétouan (12), RS Berkane (9) 2011–2015, 2017–2019, 2020–21 79
2 Morocco Zakaria Hadraf DH Jadidi (52), Raja CA (10), RS Berkane (5) 2011–2019, 2020– 67
3 Morocco Mehdi Naghmi AS FAR (41), IR Tanger (22), MC Oujda (3) 2011–2020, 2022 66
4 Morocco Abdelilah Hafidi Raja CA (50) 2011–2021 50
5 Morocco Abdessamad El Mobarky CR Al Hoceima (35), RS Berkane (1), RCA Zemamra (12) 2011–2021 48
6 Morocco Reda Hajhouj Wydad AC (15), OC Khouribga (21), Fath US (11) 2014–2017, 2017–2018, 2020–2022 47
7 Morocco Brahim El Bahraoui OC Safi (8), Fath US (7), RC Oued Zem (16), RS Berkane (14) 2011– 45
8 Morocco Jalal Daoudi DH Jadidi (2), Fath US (1), HUS Agadir (34), AS FAR (4), Wydad AC (3) 2011–2019, 2021– 44
9 Morocco Mohammed El Fakih KAC Marrakech (16), AS FAR (4), CAY Berrechid (7), OC Khouribga (2), Maghreb AS (13) 2015–2021, 2022 42
10 Morocco Karim El Berkaoui HUS Agadir (40) 2013–2020 40

The historical top scorer of the competition is Ahmed Faras with 231 goals[citation needed]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Inwi nouveau sponsor de la Botola Pro". Archived from the original on 2020-11-28. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  2. ^ "African Champions' Cup". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-23. Retrieved 2022-10-09.
  3. ^ "CAF Champions League – Champions". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2022-10-09.
  4. ^ "CAF Cup and Confederation Cup". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2022-10-10.
  5. ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "FAR Wins Morocco's Football League". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  6. ^ "Morocco 1956/57". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2019-02-24. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  7. ^ "Morocco 1957/58". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  8. ^ "Morocco 1958/59". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  9. ^ "Morocco 1959/60". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  10. ^ "Morocco 1960/61". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  11. ^ "Morocco 1961/62". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  12. ^ "Morocco 1962/63". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  13. ^ "Morocco 1963/64". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  14. ^ "Morocco 1968/69". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  15. ^ "هذه هي حكاية أول"ديربي" في تاريخ الغريمين.. الرجاء و الوداد". كازا 24 (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2022-02-20. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  16. ^ "من الذاكرة.. هذه أشهر لقاءات الديربي بين الغريمين الرجاء والوداد ــ فيديو". اليوم 24 – أخبار اليوم على مدار الساعة (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2022-02-19. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  17. ^ "Morocco 1970/71". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  18. ^ "Morocco 1971/72". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  19. ^ "Morocco Cup 1973/74". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  20. ^ "Morocco 1974/75". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-08-13. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  21. ^ "Morocco 1979/80". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  22. ^ "Morocco 1972/73". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  23. ^ "Morocco 1980/81". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  24. ^ "Morocco 1981/82". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  25. ^ "Morocco 1993/94". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  26. ^ "Morocco 1987/88". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  27. ^ "رحلة جيل.. الرجاء الذهبي يلامس حدود العالمية". كووورة. 2020-06-14. Archived from the original on 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  28. ^ "African Club Competitions 2002". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2019-11-21. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  29. ^ "FIFA Club World Championship 2000". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  30. ^ "حسنية أغادير يحتفظ بلقب الدوري المغربي". www.aljazeera.net (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2022-03-12. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  31. ^ "أولمبيك خريبكة يفوز بالدوري المغربي لأول مرة". www.aljazeera.net (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  32. ^ "IFFHS RANKINGS – THE BEST LEAGUES OF THE WORLD OF THE FIRST DECADE (2001–2010)". IFFHS. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  33. ^ "فريق المغرب التطوانيّ بطلا للدوري المغربي لأوّل مرّة في تاريخه". Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية (in Arabic). 2012-05-28. Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  34. ^ "المغرب التطواني يحرز درع البطولة ويتأهل لكأس العالم للأندية". Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية (in Arabic). 2014-05-25. Archived from the original on 2022-03-12. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  35. ^ "الفتح الرياضي الرباطي بطلا للمغرب في كرة القدم بعد هزمه للمولوديّة". Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية (in Arabic). 2016-06-04. Archived from the original on 2016-07-20. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  36. ^ "La FRMF félicite l'IRT champion de Botola Maroc Télécom D1 (2017-2018)" [The FRMF congratulates the IRT champion of Botola Maroc Telecom D1 (2017-2018)]. FRMF.ma. 12 May 2018. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018.
  37. ^ "VAR: Introduction of Virtual Offside Line in Botola Pro D1 (FRMF)". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 2020-10-04. Archived from the original on 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  38. ^ "IFFHS". www.iffhs.com. Archived from the original on 2023-01-24. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  39. ^ "IFFHS CONTINENTAL STRONGEST NATIONAL LEAGUES OF THE DECADE 2011–2020". IFFHS. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  40. ^ "العصبة الاحترافية: سوق الانتقالات الشتوية رهين بالحالة المادية للأندية". هسبورت (in Arabic). 2022-12-27. Archived from the original on 2022-12-28. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
  41. ^ "IFFHS". www.iffhs.com. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  42. ^ Sahnouni, Mariya. "IFFHS Ranks Morocco's Botola as Third Strongest National League in Africa". moroccoworldnews. Archived from the original on 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  43. ^ Mahomed, Dylan (2020-11-27). "Morocco: Moroccan Football Lands Deal With Telecoms Giant Inwi". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-21. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  44. ^ "La Botola Pro s'appellera "Botola Maroc Telecom" la saison prochaine" [The Botola Pro will be called “Botola Maroc Telecom” next season]. telquel.ma. TELQUEL. 3 April 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  45. ^ "Inwi, nouveau sponsor de la Botola Pro" [Inwi, new sponsor of the Botola Pro]. leconomiste.com. L'ECONOMISTE. 21 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  46. ^ La SNRT décroche les droits TV du GNF Archived July 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine www.lavieeco.com
  47. ^ "African Club Competitions 1985". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-08-07. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  48. ^ "African Club Competitions 2005". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-07-24. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  49. ^ "African Club Competitions 2006". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-07-24. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  50. ^ "RS Berkane to group stage, 15 more to follow". CAFOnline.com. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  51. ^ "Stade Mohamed V". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  52. ^ "Stade Ibn Batouta (Grand Stade de Tanger)". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  53. ^ "Stade Moulay Abdallah". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  54. ^ "Grand Stade d'Agadir (Stade Adrar)". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  55. ^ "Complexe Sportif de Fès". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  56. ^ "Stade d'Honneur d'Oujda". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  57. ^ "Stade El Massira". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  58. ^ "Stade municipal de Berkane". OStadium.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  59. ^ "Stade Bachir". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  60. ^ "Stade Moulay Hassan". OStadium.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  61. ^ "Stade Saniat Rmel". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  62. ^ "Stade municipal de Berrechid". OStadium.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  63. ^ "Stade de Marrakech". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  64. ^ "STADE CHEIKH MOHAMED LAGHDAF". SoccerWay.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  65. ^ "Stade d'honneur de Meknès". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  66. ^ "Stade Municipal de Kénitra". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  67. ^ "Stade Mimoun Al Arsi (Estadio Chipula)". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  68. ^ "Stade du 18-Novembre". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  69. ^ "Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  70. ^ "Stade de FUS". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  71. ^ "Stade du Phosphate". StadiumDB.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  72. ^ "Mehdi Naghmi meilleur buteur". Archived from the original on 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2021-01-04.

External links[edit]