Abdelilah Hafidi


Abdelilah Hafidi is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a winger for Raja Casablanca and the Morocco national team.

Career

During the 2011–12 Botola season, Hafidi was one of a few Raja Casablanca B players who were called up to the first team as part of the team's board members plan, which sought to solve the team's financial difficulties by giving the chance to its young players to integrate into the first team. Hafidi made 11 appearances during 2011–12 Botola. However, he did not play for most of the season, but still managed to score 3 goals in the Botola; 2 goals against Chabab Massira and 1 goal against KAC Kenitra. Raja Casablanca ended the 2011–12 Botola season as fourth in the ranking of the Botola, which secured them a place in the Arab Champions League.
During the 2012–13 pre-season transfer window, Raja Casablanca's new president, Mohamed Boudrika, signed the Moroccan coach, Mohamed Fakhir. The latter made some meaningful changes to the team's squad. However, Hafidi was not released as Fakher was convinced that the young player has a substantial individual talent. As a result, Hafidi imposed himself as an indispensable player in the team, despite his young age. Furthermore, he played an important role in the front line of the team, during all 5 matches of the Moroccan Cup Coupe du Trône, by scoring 3 goals in 3 consecutive matches, against Hassania Agadir, KACM and Wydad Casablanca. Consequently, Raja Casablanca won the Moroccan Cup for the seventh time in its history, after beating FAR Rabat, in the finals, by penalty shoot-outs, following a score of in the match.
Hafidi's performances drew more attention during the 2012–13 season. He scored 6 goals in the Moroccan league 2012–13 Botola, 2 goals in the Arab Champions League and 3 goals in the Moroccan Cup Coupe du Trône. Hafidi ended the season with 2 trophies, The Moroccan Cup Coupe du Trône and the Moroccan league 2012–13 Botola. The latter qualified Raja Casablanca directly to the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup, as Morocco was the host country of that year's tournament.