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At the Africa Cup of Nations, the crowd’s presence was not merely a matter of numbers, but a powerful force inside the stadium. Unified chants echoed from the stands, including «Shalalala… Dima Maghreb», associated with the «Sbou3a» faction, which became its distinctive signature throughout the tournament. With disciplined coordination and clear messages, the group’s support reached the players directly. In this interview, Mehdi Bouazza, one of the leaders of the «Sbou3a» faction, takes us behind the scenes of the group’s organization in the stands. As creators of atmosphere, Sbou3a emerged as one of the most visible faces of Moroccan support during thsi AFCON.
To start, how did the «Sbou3a» ultras come about?
Before the official creation of the group, several young people, including myself, were already following Moroccan national teams across different age categories, accompanying them to various destinations abroad, such as Qatar, Chile, and Côte d’Ivoire. The group was officially established in March 2025, on the occasion of the Moroccan national team’s match against Tanzania in the city of Oujda. That was when the name «Sbou3a» was chosen, inspired by the national team’s nickname, the Atlas Lions.
The main idea behind creating the group was to bring together supporters who share the same passion and objectives, in order to support the national teams in a unified and organized way. This is what we have achieved today, and we continue to move forward. We started with around twenty members; today, we have approximately 4,000. We also have about 20 leaders or coordinators in each region of Morocco, ensuring broad inclusion and a presence across the country, as well as among members of the Moroccan diaspora abroad.
How do you organize yourselves inside the stands?
We collectively agree on all preparations, from tifos to chants and overall organization. Most members have a background in supporting their local clubs and are familiar with the rules and culture of organized cheering. Everyone contributes ideas based on their own perspective and experience. Before joining, each member signs a code of conduct that emphasizes respect for the group and its rules.
Our goal is to ensure structured and coordinated support inside the stands so that our voices reach the players and technical staff, motivating them even more. We see ourselves as the 12th player.
Your group gained wide recognition during this AFCON. How did you prepare for the tournament and for each match?
Preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations were planned well in advance. We held intensive meetings to exchange ideas, consult, and coordinate every detail, especially given the scale of the tournament and the preparations made by the state, including stadiums and infrastructure. We were keen to present a serious and positive image of Morocco, which we believe we succeeded in doing by organizing supporters effectively inside the stands.
Before the start of the tournament, we published a notice on our social media platforms inviting members, potential members, and anyone wishing to sit next to «Sbou3a». We specified the seating area and encouraged supporters to purchase tickets in the same stand.
Before each match, we held meetings to address key points and ensure smooth organization, whether in terms of chants or messages. We usually gathered before matches at the Riyadh station to coordinate everything before entering the stadium.
Did you face any difficulties, whether accessing the stadium or otherwise?
Regarding access to the stadium, not at all—on the contrary, it was very smooth. On behalf of the group, I would like to commend the cooperation of the Moroccan authorities, who facilitated many aspects of our work.
Initially, however, we faced some challenges with the crowd, particularly during the first two matches. Many spectators attended simply to watch in a traditional way, which is no longer suited to modern football atmospheres. We tried to engage with them, and they responded positively. Gradually, we noticed increased interaction, as more people joined in the chanting and cheering.
In reality, and by everyone’s account, the Moroccan crowd presented a wonderful image. I am personally impressed by it. It was more united than ever before, and a clear change was noticeable compared to the past. Today, Moroccan stadiums have everything they need; what remains is for fans to arrive on time.
What about your visual identity and chants? And how are your travels funded?
We always make sure to wear red shirts. Before the competition began, we shared all the songs we had prepared on our social media platforms, including YouTube and Spotify. Our group includes people from various backgrounds, including musicians who are well versed in this field, and they were responsible for composing our chants. We made sure the songs used simple and familiar words so the wider crowd could easily join in.
The echoes of the chants we sang in the stands are still etched in people’s memories today.
As for travel, all our trips are entirely self-funded, whether for tickets, transportation, or accommodation. We do not receive any financial support from any entity. Every member travels with the national team out of personal commitment and love for both the team and Morocco.
How did you experience the end of the tournament, and what comes next for «Sbou3a»?
We had hoped for a better outcome and for the title, but that is football. Every Moroccan was affected by the missed penalty, we felt, for a moment, that victory was within reach. But it was fate, and many great players have missed penalties.
We are now preparing for the 2026 World Cup, with plans to travel alongside the national team. We have already started looking for rental accommodations and plane tickets. Some members have already obtained U.S. visas, while others are preparing the necessary documents to apply, in coordination with the Moroccan community there.
We hope the players do not lose confidence. Today, we have a complete team in every sense, highly respected, with little room for error. Our goal is to make Moroccan fans, who are eager for titles, happy. Dima Maghreb.
