Imprisonment of Naciri, instability, half-assed results… The Wydad crisis deciphered by a psychologist

No, football is not a magical game with secret recipes, where tactical art and the elusive alchemy between the players are the keys to success. This myth is so romantic that several followers of Wydad Casablanca believed in it unwaveringly.

However, since the imprisonment of the club’s president, Said Naciri, nothing has gone well for the most successful club in the kingdom. The Wydadi leader, charged with falsification of public documents with the use of forgery, fraud, forgery and use of forgery, concealment of objects obtained by means of crimes, manipulation and forgery of checks, attempted export and marketing of drugs without authorization, import of foreign currency without permission from the competent authorities, influence peddling, facilitation of drug use and participation in an agreement on the possession, transport and marketing of drugs, was the guarantor of the stability of the team which today seems closer to implosion than the great Olympics. shape.

How did a club made up of the best players on the market, several Moroccan champions and African champions, get there? Badr Azzi, sports psychologist, gives us his findings.

The absence of Naciri, but not only…
“Extrasport events, such as the arrest of the president of the WAC, can have several consequences for the concentration and commitment of players,” launches the sports psychologist of the Spanish club CF Rayo Majadonda immediately. “These major distractions can distract players from their sporting responsibilities, generating a climate of stress and anxiety that hinders their performance,” adds Azzi.

In addition to Naciri’s extra-sporting problems, successive defeats in the finals of the Champions League, the African Football League and the loss of the national championship can have a devastating effect on the confidence and motivation of the players. “These negative results can sow doubt and frustration in the team, thus compromising cohesion and collective performance,” emphasizes Badr Azzi.

Another obstacle the team may face is the change of coach during the season. – A change of coach in the middle of the season can have a significant psychological impact on the players. It can disrupt the stability and routine that the players have become accustomed to, which can lead to increased levels of stress and tension, warns the specialist.

How to get out of this crisis?
CF sports psychologist Rayo Majadonda highlights the importance of communication and individual understanding to overcome challenges. “Working individually with each player to address their fears and anxieties, as well as their concentration and activation levels, is essential,” he insists.

Badr Azzi clarifies the importance of a holistic approach to strengthen the team’s mentality. “It is important to recognize the importance of the presence of a sports psychologist in the team from the first day of the season,” he advises. “Through personal support, the psychologist can help players overcome obstacles and improve their performance on the field.”

“Just like the physical preparation that starts from the start of the season to prepare the players for the physical challenge of competition, building team identity and mental toughness must also be integrated from the start. It is essential to establish a culture and values ​​from day one that will guide the players’ behavior and mentality throughout the season, concludes the sports psychologist.

As a reminder, Wydad is holding its general meeting on Thursday 28 March. The opportunity for the Reds to lay the solid foundations for a new era? It’s all the bad we can wish for them.