The 1986 Africa Cup of Nations saw Ezzaki Badou earn the African Footballer of the Year title, a distinction that catalyzed his transfer to RCD Mallorca.
Professional Playing Career
Born on 2 April 1959 in Sidi Kacem, Ezzaki Badou began his senior career with AS Salé before moving to Wydad Athletic Club, where he secured multiple Botola Pro titles and Moroccan Throne Cup victories. His move to Spain in 1986 marked a high point, as he helped RCD Mallorca gain promotion to La Liga in 1989. During this period, he earned the Ricardo Zamora Trophy and was named La Liga Goalkeeper of the Year three times between 1988 and 1990.
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Badou earned 76 full caps for his country, playing in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 1984 Summer Olympics. He was a central figure in the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, where his performance helped his team become the first from Africa to advance to the round-of-16. In 2006, the Confederation of African Football recognized him as one of the 200 best African players of the previous half-century.
Transition to Management
Upon retiring from professional play in 1993, Badou immediately pivoted to coaching. He led Morocco to the final of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up to Tunisia. His management career included stints at Wydad Casablanca, where he won the 2010 Botola Pro, and CR Belouizdad, where he secured the Algerian Cup in 2017. He has since held coaching roles with Sudan, Niger, and Jordan.
Fast facts
- Born: 2 April 1959, Sidi Kacem
- Citizenship: Morocco
- Professional debut: AS Salé
- 1986 African Footballer of the Year
- 2004 Officer of the Order of the Throne
- Languages: Arabic, Spanish
- Retirement from play: 1993
Questions readers ask
What major individual honors did Badou receive as a player?
He was named African Footballer of the Year in 1986 and received the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the 1988–89 season.
Which international team did Badou lead as a coach in 2023?
He was appointed as the coach of Sudan in March 2023.
