marrakech – Unusually, Algerian commentator Hafid Deraji praised the infrastructure of Moroccan stadiums while covering the match between Cameroon and South Africa, which was played at the newly renovated Al-Madina stadium in the Agdal district of Rabat on Sunday.
The BeIN Sports commentator, who is usually critical of Morocco, expressed surprise that despite heavy rain during AFCON 2025, the competition was not affected.
“It seems like artificial intelligence is making it rain in Moroccan stadiums,” Deraj said while commenting on the match in Rabat. “When you look at the pitch, which is completely unaffected by the rain, you would think that what you see on the screen is artificial intelligence. Of course it’s not AI, but God bless you.”
This observation was made amidst heavy rain during the quarter-finals of Cameroon vs. South Africa, but both teams played in complete comfort. The players maintained their balance and the ball moved smoothly across the surface throughout the 90 minutes.
The Moroccan stadium utilizes British company Bernhardt’s SubAir pitch technology, which actively controls underground drainage conditions. This system uses pumps and blowers connected to an underground drainage network. Removes excess water up to 36 times faster than traditional gravity drainage systems.
This technology forces fresh air into the soil to nourish the grass roots, remove harmful gases, and quickly extract excess water. This gives turf managers complete control over subsurface conditions and allows them to create an optimal playing surface that quickly recovers after heavy rain.
For example, Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium has Africa’s first hybrid grass pitch, which combines natural grass and synthetic fibers. The artificial fibers maintain the stability of the surface as players run and slide, and the natural grass absorbs rainwater effectively.
The engineering relies on multiple layers, including highly permeable sand, a drainage network connected to pumps and fans, and a gravel foundation to ensure stability. Rainwater is collected in underground tanks and later used for irrigation.
However, DeLarge’s comments were not entirely positive towards tournament organizers. After Morocco’s 1-0 win over Tanzania, he criticized the Atlas Lions’ performance on his X social media account.
“The Moroccan national team defeated a modest Tanzanian team by a narrow margin of 1-0, advancing to the AFCON quarterfinals without a convincing result,” Deraj wrote. “Media and crowd pressure is increasingly influencing Morocco’s performance, especially in the finals.”
He pointed out that while midfielder Azzedine Ounahi was absent due to injury, the presence of captain Achraf Hakimi was a technical and mental benefit.
During the match between Cameroon and South Africa, DeLazi mocked South Africa’s Belgian coach Hugo Bruce when his team was down 2-0. “Move something… move your hands, move your eyes, move your eyebrows. Your team is losing by two points,” he said.
In the end, Cameroon won 2-1, with South Africa scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute.
Morocco will face Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Friday, and stadium technology will ensure optimal playing conditions regardless of the weather.
