Mehdi Mchakhchekh

Mehdi Mchakhchekh
Personal information
Full name Mehdi Mchakhchekh
Date of birth (2004-02-23) 23 February 2004
Place of birth Casablanca, Morocco
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Raja CA
Number 33
Youth career
–2019 Kenitra AC
2019–2024 Raja CA
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Raja CA 20 (0)
International career
2025– Morocco A' 6 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Morocco
African Nations Championship
Winner 2024 Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 November 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 27 August 2025

Mehdi Mchakhchekh (Arabic: مهدي المشخشخ; born 23 February 2004) is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as centre–back for Botola ckub Raja CA and the Morocco national team.

Early life

Mehdi Mchakhchekh began football at the Kenitra AC football academy at a young age.

In 2019, he joined Raja CA academy at the Oasis Complex and played with the U17 team.[1] On 22 February 2022, he signed his first professional contract with the club.

On 8 July 2022, at the Boubker Amar Stadium, Raja won the U19 national championship. In 2023, he became the captain of the reserves team that took part in the fifth national division.

Club career

On 3 August 2023, he made his professional debut in the final group stage match of 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, under Josef Zinnbauer, starting against Al-Wahda (1–0 victory). He joined the preparation camp before the 2023–24 season and scored in a friendly match against RCA Zemamra.[2]

On 13 December, he renewed his contract with the club until 2027.[3]

On 6 January 2024, he played his second match with Raja CA, making his league debut against MC Oujda, replacing Yousri Bouzok in the last minute of regulation time (2–0 victory).[4] At the end of the season, he won the championship, beating AS FAR.[5]

On 30 January 2025, he made his starting debut against Olympique Safi at the Labi Zaouli Stadium (1–1 draw).[6]

International career

On 11 November 2024, he was called-up by Tarik Sektioui with the national A' team which brings together local players under 24, for a preparation training camp at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, from November 11 to 20.

On 1 June 2025, he was called-up by Tarik Sektioui with the national A' team (for players born in 2000 and over) which will carry out a preparation training camp at the Mohammed VI football complex from June 2 to 10.[7] He was re-selected in July for the last gathering before the 2024 African Nations Championship scheduled for August 2025.[8]

On 3 August 2025, the Atlas Lions began the group stage with a victory against Angola (2–0).[9] However, they were surprisingly beaten by the host country, Kenya, by a score of 1–0.[10] In a difficult situation, they bounced back against Zambia (goals from Hrimat, Lamlioui and Bougrine) and the DR Congo (goals from Hrimat and a brace from Lamliou).[11][12] This success allowed the team to qualify for the quarter-finals where they eliminated the surprise of the tournament, Tanzania, by the narrowest of margins (1–0), in Dar es Salaam.[13] In the semi-finals, the Moroccans faced the defending champions, Senegal. After a hard-fought match that ended 1–1 with a superb goal from Sabir Bougrine, Morocco won on penalties (5–3), thus reaching the final.[14] On August 30, at the Nyayo National Stadium, the Atlas Lions won the title by beating Madagascar 3–2, thanks to a brace from Oussama Lamlioui.[15]

Honours

Morocco

Raja CA

References

  1. ^ "الرجاء يتعاقد مع لاعبين جديدين". Le 360 Sport Arabe (in Arabic). Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  2. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  3. ^ Ichi, Abderrahman (13 December 2023). "Le Raja de Casablanca prolonge quatre joueurs dont Bouchaïb Arrassi". Le Matin.ma (in French). Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Statistiques Raja Casablanca vs Mouloudia Oujda - Botola Maroc Télécom 2024". fr.besoccer.com (in French). Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  5. ^ Boussif, Oum El Ghit (14 June 2024). "Le Raja Casablanca sacré champion 2023-24". Hespress Français - Actualités du Maroc (in French). Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Raja Club Athletic - Olympic Safi". sofascore.com. 30 January 2025.
  7. ^ MATIN, LE (2 June 2025). "Tarik Sektioui convoque 28 joueurs de la Botola pour un stage de préparation". Le Matin.ma (in French). Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  8. ^ CHAAT, YOUSSEF (1 July 2025). "CHAN 2025 : Tarik Sektioui convoque 29 joueurs de la Botola pour un stage de préparation". Le Matin.ma (in French). Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  9. ^ Chaabi, Chady (3 August 2025). "CHAN 2024. Le Maroc s'offre une première victoire face à l'Angola (2-0)". Médias24 numéro un de l'information économique marocaine (in French). Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  10. ^ PAMOJA 2024, In a packed Moi International Sports Centre, Kenya pulled off a memorable 1-0 victory over Morocco, two-time tournament champions, to remain unbeaten at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN). "Kenya Defeat Morocco With 10 Men and Edge Closer to CHAN Quarterfinals". beIN SPORTS. Retrieved 31 August 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "Morocco bounce back with 3-1 win, Zambia exit CHAN". Morocco bounce back with 3-1 win, Zambia exit CHAN. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  12. ^ Chaabi, Chady (17 August 2025). "CHAN 2024. Le Maroc retrouve la Tanzanie en quart après sa victoire face à la RDC (3-1)". Médias24 numéro un de l'information économique marocaine (in French). Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Morocco edge Tanzania in Dar to reach CHAN semi-finals". Morocco edge Tanzania in Dar to reach CHAN semi-finals. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Morocco beat title holders Senegal on penalties to reach CHAN final". Morocco beat title holders Senegal on penalties to reach CHAN final. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Morocco 3-2 Madagascar (Aug 30, 2025) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 31 August 2025.