The Botola league is the top tier professional football league in Morocco. It is also known as the Botola Pro or Botola Maroc Telecom for sponsorship reasons. The league was founded in 1956, the same year Morocco gained independence from France. Since then, it has become one of the most prestigious football leagues in Africa.

The Botola league is a professional league that consists of 16 teams from across Morocco. The season usually runs from September to May, with each team playing 30 matches. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the champion, while the bottom two teams are relegated to the second division.

The league has a rich history of producing some of the best footballers in Africa. Moroccan legends such as Mustapha Hadji, Noureddine Naybet, and Mehdi Benatia all started their careers in the Botola league. It has also attracted some of the biggest names in African football, with players such as Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, and Younes Belhanda all playing in the league at some point in their careers.

Notable teams in the league include Wydad Casablanca, who have won the league title 20 times, FAR Rabat, who have won it 10 times and Raja Casablanca who have won 9 times.

One of the unique features of the Botola league is the passionate fan culture. Moroccan football fans are known for their intense support of their teams, with matches often featuring colourful displays and high-energy chanting. The derby matches between Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca, known as the Casablanca derby, are some of the most highly anticipated matches in African football.

In recent years, the Botola league has seen a significant increase in investment, with many clubs upgrading their facilities and investing in their youth academies. This has led to an improvement in the overall quality of football in the league, as well as an increase in the number of Moroccan players being signed by European clubs.

In conclusion, the Botola league is a highly competitive and exciting football league that has produced some of the best footballers in Africa. With its passionate fan culture and growing investment, the league is poised to continue its growth and become one of the top football leagues in the continent.