For football fans who remember the highlights of France 98, Youssef Chippo was one of the most prominent Moroccan midfielders during that World Cup. Today, the former international has channeled his passion into an even more ambitious project: training the next generation of Moroccan football talent through the Chippo Academy, a training center that has grown from 250 students in 2019 to over 700 participants across multiple locations.

The Player Who Conquered European Football

Born on May 10, 1973, in Casablanca, Morocco, Youssef Chippo carved out an impressive career that took him from the streets of Morocco to the elite stadiums of Europe. His journey began with Hassania Agadir and Raja Casablanca before he made the leap to European professional football.​

Chippo’s professional career reads like a roadmap of international soccer:

• FC Porto (Portugal): Where he won back-to-back Portuguese league championships in 1997-98 and 1998-99, making 40 appearances and scoring 2 goals
• Coventry City (England): His longest stint, playing 131 matches in the Premier League and scoring 10 goals between 1999-2002
• Al Nasr (UAE) and Al Rayyan (Qatar): Continuing his career in the Middle East​

A Memorable World Cup Journey

Chippo’s crowning achievement came when he helped Morocco qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He started three matches during the tournament, though the campaign had its bittersweet moments—including an unfortunate own goal against Norway. Despite this setback, his performances throughout the qualification campaign and the tournament itself cemented his status as one of Morocco’s key players of that era.

Over his international career, Chippo earned 62 caps for the Moroccan national team, scoring 6 goals and representing his country at four African Cup of Nations tournaments between 1998 and 2006. He also competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics before retiring from international duty after the 2006 African Cup of Nations.

Building the Future: A Strategic Vision

After hanging up his boots, Chippo didn’t fade into retirement. Instead, he turned his attention to developing Morocco’s soccer infrastructure by founding Chippo Academy in September 2019. What started as a football school in Kenitra has evolved into a comprehensive development system with branches in both Kenitra and Rabat.

The Academy’s Dual-Track Development Model

Chippo Academy operates on a sophisticated two-tiered system designed to serve players at different skill levels:​

The Amateur Track: This pathway includes recreational players who want to enjoy the sport and develop fitness, as well as serious amateurs looking to improve their skills with the potential to transition to elite status.​

The Elite Track: Reserved for players with above-average abilities and strong fundamentals who compete in the Western League Championship across multiple age categories starting from U10. Notably, the academy is one of the few institutions in Morocco to field teams across all youth age groups in competitive league play.​

The academy also leads the way in women’s football development, fielding competitive teams in the U15, U17, and senior women’s categories.​

World-Class Infrastructure and Professional Standards

What distinguishes Chippo Academy from typical youth programs is its commitment to professional-level resources and training environments:

Certified Coaching Staff: The academy employs approximately 20 certified coaches holding first, second, and third-degree coaching diplomas—a rarity among Moroccan football schools.​

Modern Facilities: The complex includes regulation grass pitches, gymnasiums, video analysis rooms, and training equipment that rivals European academies.

Professional Partnerships: The academy has hosted training camps for prominent Moroccan clubs including Renaissance Berkane, Wydad Casablanca, Union Touarga, and Olympic Dcheira, establishing itself as a premier training destination.​

International Connections: Chippo Academy maintains strong relationships with French academies in Lille and Montpellier, facilitating international exposure opportunities for its players.​

Ambitious Expansion Plans

The academy’s vision extends far beyond its current operations. Long-term development plans include:​

• Construction of residential facilities to provide full-time boarding for elite players
• Addition of a swimming pool and multipurpose activity halls
• Development of hotel-style accommodations to host international teams for training camps
• Creating a comprehensive sports complex that combines education, training, and residential care

These infrastructure investments aim to position Chippo Academy as a destination for both Moroccan and international clubs seeking high-quality training facilities. The academy has already attracted interest from Senegal’s national team for potential training camps.​

Measurable Growth and Impact

The numbers tell a compelling story of rapid expansion and community impact:

• 2019: Launched with 250 students, growing to 320 by season’s end​
• 2020-2021: Despite pandemic challenges, reached 350 participants​
• 2021-2022: Expanded to approximately 700 total participants across amateur and elite programs
• 2022-2023: Opened a second location in Rabat, extending the academy’s reach to Morocco’s capital​

A Holistic Development Philosophy

Beyond technical soccer skills, Chippo Academy emphasizes comprehensive athlete development:​​

Physical Conditioning: Age-appropriate strength, endurance, and agility training programs

Tactical Education: Strategic understanding of positioning, game flow, and decision-making

Mental Preparation: Psychological resilience, focus, and competitive mindset development

Character Formation: Discipline, respect, teamwork, and ethical values as foundational pillars

Academic Support: Monitoring educational progress to ensure players develop as complete individuals

Psychological Services: Professional counseling to support mental health and personal growth

Morocco’s Rising Soccer Ecosystem

The success of Chippo Academy reflects Morocco’s broader transformation into a global soccer powerhouse. The country’s historic 2022 World Cup semifinal appearance—the first African nation to reach that stage—demonstrated the results of systematic youth development.​

With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the timing of Chippo Academy’s growth aligns perfectly with the nation’s soccer ambitions. The academy serves as a critical talent pipeline, identifying and nurturing players who could represent Morocco on future World Cup stages.​

For American audiences familiar with MLS academy systems and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy model, Chippo Academy follows similar principles: identify local talent early, provide professional training standards, maintain academic support, and create clear pathways to professional careers.

International Tournament Opportunities

As Moroccan football gains global recognition, international youth tournaments are increasingly choosing the country as a host destination. Events like Surf Cup International Morocco—scheduled for June 25-28, 2026, in Tangier—will feature elite academies from FC Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, PSG, Benfica, Flamengo, and Rangers FC. These tournaments provide Moroccan academies like Chippo with opportunities to test their players against global competition without leaving the country.

A Legacy Beyond the Pitch

Youssef Chippo’s transition from international player to academy founder represents the complete soccer lifecycle—from aspiring youth to professional star to mentor of the next generation. His academy stands as one of Morocco’s premier youth development institutions, recognized for its quality infrastructure, professional coaching standards, and commitment to producing well-rounded athletes.​

The academy’s mid-term goal is ambitious yet achievable: elevate its senior team through the amateur divisions into Morocco’s professional leagues, ultimately reaching the top-tier Botola Pro. This vertical integration—developing players from age 6 through professional careers—mirrors the approach of Europe’s most successful academies.​

Why This Matters for Global Soccer

In an era where soccer talent development increasingly determines national success, Morocco’s investment in youth academies like Chippo’s represents a strategic approach to building sustainable excellence. The academy provides more than just training—it offers a proven pathway built on the experience of someone who has walked the journey from Moroccan youth player to European professional to World Cup participant.

For young Moroccan players with dreams of following in Chippo’s footsteps—whether to Porto, the Premier League, or the national team—the academy offers professional-level preparation, international exposure, and comprehensive personal development.

As Morocco continues its ascent in global soccer, institutions like Chippo Academy ensure that the country’s future generations have the tools, training, and guidance to achieve their dreams on the world stage. With over 700 young athletes currently in the system and expansion plans underway, Youssef Chippo’s legacy may ultimately be measured not by his own accomplishments, but by the careers of the countless players he helps develop.

Success Stories of Chippo Academy Graduates in Football

Since its establishment in 2019, Chippo Academy has emerged as one of Morocco’s leading institutions for developing promising talent at both national and international levels. The success of its graduates is evident across multiple dimensions:

Driss Ait Cheikh: The Rising Star

Driss Ait Cheikh stands out as the most prominent graduate of Chippo Academy to date. His achievements are particularly noteworthy:

National Level Success

• Key player in Morocco’s U-17 national team
• Contributed to Morocco’s triumph at the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in March 2025, where Morocco defeated Mali in the final​
• Selected for the Best XI of the group stage at the African championship​
• Plays as a central defender and is considered a cornerstone of the national team’s defense​

International Interest

• In August 2025, transferred to FC Copenhagen in Denmark, one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs for youth development​
• Attracted attention from multiple European and Arab clubs​
• Received substantial financial offers from Gulf region clubs​
• Multiple agents and club officials contacted Youssef Chippo to discuss potential transfers​

According to Mohamed Chippo, the academy’s director, the sporting project takes priority over money: “Some Gulf clubs offered us significant amounts, but we insist that the sporting project is most important. What matters most to us is the environment that will allow Driss to develop and play at the highest European levels”.​

Other Players in National Teams

Beyond Driss Ait Cheikh, Chippo Academy has successfully supplied Morocco’s national teams with other high-level players. Sources indicate that the academy “feeds the national teams with world-class players” since its founding.​

Transfers to Moroccan Professional Clubs

Several academy graduates have successfully transferred to professional Moroccan football clubs. Despite the academy’s relatively recent establishment, its ability to produce players who attract interest from national clubs demonstrates the quality of its training program.​

Performance in Domestic Competitions

The academy’s teams compete in the Western League Championship across various age categories, delivering strong performances in these competitions. Chippo Academy is one of the few institutions in Morocco that fields teams across all age groups starting from the U-10 category.

Factors Behind Success

The achievements of academy graduates stem from several key factors:

Advanced Infrastructure

• Two pitches designed according to FIFA-approved international standards​
• High-quality sports facilities​​

Professional Coaching

• 20 certified coaches holding first, second, and third-degree coaching diplomas
• One of the few football schools in Morocco that selectively recruits diploma-certified coaches​

Professional Methodology

• Professional talent identification and scouting system​​
• Comprehensive training approach combining technical, physical, and mental development​

International Partnerships

• Strong relationships with French academies in Lille and Montpellier​
• Hosts training camps for major Moroccan clubs​

Future Aspirations

Chippo Academy aims to continue producing talented players while advancing its senior team through the amateur divisions into Morocco’s professional leagues. With ongoing investment in infrastructure and training quality, the number of graduates reaching professional levels is expected to increase in the coming years.​