Raja Casablanca are preparing to end their association with captain Badr Banoun in a surprise decision that forms part of a wider restructuring of the squad ahead of the new season.
The Moroccan club is undergoing significant changes during the current summer transfer window as its management seeks to rebuild the team and strengthen a defence capable of challenging for both the Moroccan league title and continental honours.
According to the report, the decision to part ways with the experienced central defender was made following a direct recommendation from the club’s newly appointed sporting director.
The move has come as a surprise to many supporters, particularly because it reportedly goes against the wishes of head coach Nasr Eddine Nabi, who had wanted Banoun to remain at the club.
Sporting director’s vision prevails
The report says Banoun’s departure was not the result of unanimous agreement within the club’s football department.
Instead, differing opinions emerged between the coaching staff and the new sporting leadership over the defender’s future.
Coach Nasr Eddine Nabi is reported to have argued strongly in favour of retaining Banoun, citing the defender’s experience, leadership qualities and long-standing contribution to the team.
However, the sporting director’s vision ultimately prevailed, with the club opting to move in a different direction.
The decision reflects a strategy focused on refreshing the squad by introducing younger players with tactical characteristics considered better suited to the club’s long-term plans.
Rather than relying on experienced figures from previous campaigns, Raja appear determined to reshape the squad around a new footballing project.
Defensive departures create fresh challenge
Banoun’s expected exit represents the second major defensive departure from Raja during the current transfer window.
Earlier, fellow central defender Abdullah Khafifi left the club after choosing not to renew his contract.
Khafifi has since embarked on a new chapter by joining Maghreb de Fès, leaving Raja without two experienced defenders who had formed an important part of the back line.
The departures have created an immediate challenge for both the club’s management and technical committee, who must now reinforce the defence before competitive action resumes.
Finding suitable replacements has become a priority as Raja seek to avoid entering the new campaign with uncertainty in one of the team’s most important positions.
Abdelhak El Assal targeted as replacement
In response to the defensive changes, Raja are reportedly close to completing the signing of defender Abdelhak El Assal.
The player is expected to arrive on a free transfer as the club looks to strengthen its options at the back.
Despite his availability, El Assal’s recent career has been disrupted by injuries.
The report notes that he had fallen out of the plans at Renaissance Berkane because of recurring fitness problems and prolonged absences from the starting line-up.
Nevertheless, Raja’s technical staff believe the defender can regain his previous level through both physical and psychological rehabilitation.
The club is therefore prepared to invest in his recovery, hoping he can become an important part of the rebuilt defensive unit.
New strategy signals significant change
The developments suggest Raja Casablanca are embracing a broader restructuring rather than making isolated transfer decisions.
The willingness to allow an experienced captain such as Banoun to leave, despite the reservations of the head coach, illustrates the influence of the club’s new sporting leadership and its commitment to implementing a long-term strategy.
At the same time, the departures of Banoun and Khafifi have increased the urgency surrounding recruitment, with management under pressure to ensure the defence remains competitive before the new season begins.
According to the report, Raja’s transfer activity reflects a philosophy in which technical planning and financial considerations take precedence over sentiment.
With further official announcements expected in the coming days, the club is continuing to shape its squad as it prepares for what it hopes will be a successful campaign in both domestic and continental competitions. The expected departure of Badr Banoun is likely to be remembered as one of the defining moments of Raja Casablanca’s summer rebuild, signalling the beginning of a new era at the Moroccan club.
