OL Sets Forth on a New Journey: Establishing Roots in Morocco

L’Olympique Lyonnais is set to establish a strategic partnership with Ittihad Tanger, a Moroccan top-flight club, to enhance its training and post-training policies, according to L’Équipe. This new three-year agreement reflects the club’s intention to strengthen its presence in Africa, following the end of its collaboration with Dakar Sacré-Cœur. The upcoming appointment of Christian Bassila as the head of OL’s Academy is expected to contribute significantly to this overall restructuring of training.

Targeted for nearly two years by Matthieu Louis-Jean, OL’s technical director, Ittihad Tanger boasts significant potential, featuring modern facilities and a 70,000-seat stadium. This partnership comes at a time when Moroccan football is rapidly evolving, highlighted by its recent victory in the Under-20 World Cup and the upcoming African Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup, which the country will host. The collaboration is expected to help Lyon identify and nurture top Moroccan and African talent, particularly those playing in Botola Pro, a league deemed more competitive than Nationale 3.