Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has offered a personal show of support to Soufiane Rahimi after the death of the forward’s father, Haj Mohamed Rahimi, known as “Youari”.
Rahimi, 30, is grieving the loss of his father while continuing his career as one of Morocco’s international forwards. The Al-Ain player has won 33 caps for the Atlas Lions and scored eight goals, and was part of the Morocco side that reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
Haj Mohamed Rahimi, a well-known figure at Raja Casablanca, died on Thursday. The club confirmed his death in a statement published on its social media channels.
For several decades, “Youari” was responsible for equipment at Raja Casablanca, where he worked around successive generations of players, coaches and club officials. His long service meant he witnessed a number of the club’s domestic and continental successes from close range.
He was also recognised for his detailed knowledge of Raja Casablanca’s history and for the many stories he could recall from behind the scenes at the club. Several Moroccan sources reported that Rahimi’s father had been bedridden for a number of months before his death.
A sequence shared on X showed Ouahbi preparing to offer his condolences to the Rahimi family. The Morocco manager was accompanied by his assistant, Joao Sacramento.
The gesture was widely praised by supporters of the Atlas Lions, who welcomed Ouahbi’s decision to stand alongside his player and his family during the bereavement.
Rahimi has made a strong start to the current season with Al-Ain. He has played three matches, starting each of them, and has contributed two goals and one assist.
His father’s death has brought together two important parts of Rahimi’s football life: his current role with Al-Ain and Morocco, and the deep connection his family has with Raja Casablanca. Haj Mohamed Rahimi spent decades inside the Casablanca club, working with the people and teams who helped shape its national and continental history.
Ouahbi’s support came as Morocco’s head coach prepared to visit the bereaved family, an act that resonated with supporters beyond the pitch. The manager’s presence was seen as a mark of sympathy for Rahimi at a difficult moment for the international forward.