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Soufiane El Bakkali returns to Diamond League in Rabat on May 31
via Le Matin2 min read
Soufiane El Bakkali is set to make his return to competition at the Mohammed VI Meeting in Rabat on May 31, more than a year after losing his world title to New Zealander Geordie Beamish at the Tokyo World Championships. El Bakkali's last major outing was on September 15, 2025, in Tokyo, where he finished second, just seven hundredths of a second behind Beamish, ending his long dominance in the event. This defeat highlighted a vulnerability, particularly in fast, atypical finishes. This season presents significant challenges for El Bakkali, who aims to regain his mental edge in a more competitive and unpredictable discipline. His rivals include Geordie Beamish, who proved he could beat El Bakkali. Kenyan athletes Abraham Kibiwot and Amos Serem are also strong contenders, planning to set a high pace to challenge El Bakkali. Ethiopian Lamecha Girma, the world record holder and a long-standing rival, will also be looking to make a breakthrough this season. Additionally, emerging talents like American Kenneth Rooks, known for his technical progression over barriers, will be competing. The 2026 Diamond League is expected to be highly contested. For El Bakkali, the goal is to balance performance with strategic management to accumulate points without compromising his main objectives. The Rabat meeting will be a crucial first test, with a convincing victory potentially dispelling doubts and reasserting his leadership before the major summer events.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Olympic Club de Safi's inaugural CAF Confederation Cup campaign, though historic for the club, concluded in the semi-finals, marked by a struggle to convert dominance into goals. The Moroccan team, dubbed the "Safi Sharks," started strong with a 5-0 victory against ASN Nigelec in the qualification phase and progressed through the first round. However, the knockout stages presented challenges, as the team often failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities. The Confederation of African Football CAF highlighted OC Safi's limited effectiveness, noting a "frustrating" pattern of domination and significant chances that ultimately cost them a place in the final. A striking statistic from CAF revealed that OC Safi recorded five consecutive draws, a first in the competition's history. This streak began on February 14, 2026, against USMA in the group stage, followed by two draws against Wydad and Union Sportive d'Alger in the semi-finals. Against the Algerian opponents, OC Safi failed to secure a win in four encounters three draws, one loss, scoring only one goal despite 41 shots and an "expected goals" total of 3.4. The club won four of its first five matches in the 2025-2026 edition before the five consecutive draws. Moussa Koné emerged as the top scorer from the bench in this edition, netting three goals from three shots on target. Despite falling short of the final, OC Safi gained valuable experience from their historic first participation.
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